10 Foods to Speed up Your Metabolism
10 Foods to Boost Your Metabolism
Metabolism is the cornerstone for weight watchers around the world. It is the process by which your body converts food into energy. During the process, calories in the food combine with oxygen to release energy for your body to function. In this blog, we will decode and discuss the foods that boost your metabolism and how to increase metabolism.
How fast your body burns calories depends on several factors. Some people are naturally gifted with an active metabolism. It also depends on gender, age, and physical activity. Men inherit a speedy metabolism than women, and once a person turns 40, the metabolism tends to slow down steadily. You can't control your gender, age, or genetics, but there are several ways to improve metabolism regardless of gender, age and other factors.
So the question that bugs everyone who's constantly trying to lose weight or maintain a certain diet is: "How to increase metabolism?" The answer is really simple: For people trying to lose weight, you can try superfoods known for their abilities to boost metabolism. Certain foods contain nutrients that help increase the body's metabolism. Adding these foods that boost your metabolism to your daily meal plan helps you lose weight and prevent excess weight gain.
However, it doesn't mean you overeat these foods. Too much of anything in your diet do more harm than good. For losing weight, you must add these foods to your weight-loss meal plan in moderation.
There is no magic ingredient or recipe that can ease your weight-loss journey. Healthy eating goes a long way in losing weight permanently. It keeps you full, maintains your sugar level, and supports a healthy metabolism. Here are some of the best healthy metabolism-boosting foods that increase metabolic function.
Eggs
Protein-rich food to increase metabolism for a couple of hours. One of the richest sources of protein is eggs. The body needs to use more energy to digest protein-based food like eggs. This phenomenon is called the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF).
The number of calories your body needs to absorb, digest, and process the nutrients in your meals is called TEF. Protein-rich food increases the TEF, thereby boosting your metabolism. This protein is known to improve metabolism and other benefits, keeping you full and preventing overeating.
Green Tea
Catechin is a health-boosting compound that is known for its multiple health benefits. The four variations of this compound are present in abundant amounts in green tea.
Catechin is a natural phenol and antioxidant that prevent oxidative stress, prevents premature aging, helps lose weight, and increases metabolism.
Flaxseeds
Regarded by many as a “functional food”, which means, foods that are eaten just for their health benefits instead of for their taste or filling the hunger, flaxseeds are nature's boon to us.
Not only are they rich in vitamins and proteins, but they also contribute to improving metabolic syndrome. In addition, they help control bloating, various cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes.
Legumes & Lentils
Legumes and lentils are the main protein sources for vegetarians and vegans. Beans, peas, chickpeas, and peanuts are rich in fibre and make your metabolism work harder to digest them. Studies have shown that lentils can make you eat less as they increase the satiety factor.
Beans also have resistant starch which can lead to an increase in fat metabolism. They effectively use the stored fat in the body and maintain blood sugar levels.
Brazilian Nuts
Often prescribed to improve reproductive health and the immune system, Brazilian nuts help control overeating as it makes people feel fuller. In addition, it also contributes to boosting the metabolism rate, which makes it a great choice for this list.
These nuts are rich in selenium, which helps in regulating metabolic function while also producing several important hormones in the body.
Green Vegetables
Green veggies like kale and spinach are a rich source of iron (non-heme). Leafy green veggies can boost metabolism if paired with vitamin C-rich food such as citrus fruits, which can aid in better absorption of iron. Plus, when consumed together, these veggies and fruits will help in weight loss and muscle gain.
Besides being the food to increase metabolism, green veggies also contain a good amount of magnesium, an essential mineral supporting metabolic functions.
Peppers
Peppers not only heighten the taste of your food but also play a major role in boosting your metabolism. This is especially true for dried chili peppers which also help give you a feeling of satiation and prevent you from overeating.
As such, it is also counted among foods for controlling weight loss and burning body fat. This is due to the presence of a compound named capsaicin in chili peppers.
Ghee
Ghee is a powerhouse of nutrition that provides several health benefits to people of all age groups. Ghee is made of short-chain fatty acids that improve digestion, reduce fat concentration, and burn fat cells, which helps in faster weight loss.
It is also known to improve metabolism in the body. Vitamin D present in ghee helps in keeping the thyroid gland in check which is directly responsible for weight loss and metabolism.
Medium-chain triglyceride
Medium-chain triglycerides or MCT oils are a unique type of fat that offers some metabolic benefits. They go directly to the liver and are not stored in the body as fat cells. Consuming MCT oil can increase metabolic rate.
It can be added to soups and as tampering with your curries. Traditionally these oils were used in South Asian and Indian meals. It is not advisable to use this oil for frying and high-heat cooking as it brings down health benefits. Use the oils sparingly just to add flavor to your food.
Ginger
Another food to increase metabolism is Ginger. It helps control appetite while also increasing your body's temperature and protecting you from colds.
It is also included in the diet for pregnant women since it controls nausea. Besides, it is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and relief after chemotherapy treatment.
Bottom Line
The above-mentioned foods that boost your metabolism can help you achieve a healthy weight. It is advisable to add these foods to your balanced diet to improve metabolism. You need to get adequate sleep, exercise regularly, and keep yourself hydrated to achieve optimum results from these foods.
Even though the listed foods are known to increase metabolism rate, they do not guarantee immediate weight loss. These foods must be considered just a complement to your diet. Moderation is the key here, and you need to be clear that only a calorie-restricted diet can promote weight loss.
FAQs: Food that Boost Your Metabolism
What foods boost your metabolism the fastest?
Foods high in protein, such as lean meats, fish, eggs, and lentils, are especially beneficial for boosting metabolism. Green tea and spicy foods like chilli peppers are also well-known for their capacity to accelerate metabolism. Fruits, vegetables, and nutritious grains also help sustain a healthy metabolic rate.
What impacts does drinking water have to improve metabolism?
Drinking water can briefly speed metabolism through thermogenesis, in which the body uses calories to heat the water to body temperature. Since good hydration promotes efficient digestion and absorption of nutrients, which in turn promotes energy expenditure, it is essential for maintaining good metabolic function.
Do any certain food habits help to increase metabolism?
Various dietary habits can help increase metabolism. Eating little or in small portions often keeps your metabolism going all day. Meals must have a good ratio of macronutrients, such as proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Including physical activity, such as strength training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), can help raise metabolic rate even more.
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