Metabolism can be described as the complete set of chemical reactions that occur in living cells and provide energy. In other words, metabolism is the process of converting the food living organisms to eat into energy. Thereby, allowing their body to function. Here are 7 foods to increase metabolism.
Some people have faster metabolism while others don’t. The former use up calories quickly while the latter use up theirs slowly. An effective way to increase metabolism is by exercising. You should know that if you have a faster metabolism, it will be easier to maintain your weight and get rid of excess body fat.
This blog post will focus on 7 foods to increase your metabolism. It is important to realize that certain foods make metabolism slower in the body than others. This knowledge will enable you to know the food you should include in your diet and those you should remove.
With that being established, here are 7 foods to increase your metabolism;
1. Chili Peppers
Capsaicin is a chemical found in chili peppers that may increase your metabolism. This chemical helps to increase the number of calories and fat burn in the body. Besides, research has shown that capsaicin can help your body burn up to 50 calories in a day.
According to another research, it has been revealed that taking capsaicin before a meal may reduce the number of calories consumed. Although, it is not all studies that capsaicin has properties that increase metabolism.
2. Proteinous Foods
Foods such as eggs, fish, diary, legumes, and more, can increase your metabolism. These foods require your body to exert more energy in digestion.
Research has revealed that foods that are rich in protein increase the thermal effect of food (TEF) than others. Unlike carbohydrates and fat, foods rich in protein increase your metabolism rate by 15% -30%.
Another advantage of taking protein-rich foods is that they make you feel full thereby reducing the number of food you consume.
3. Spices
Certain spices, such as ginger, have been thought to contain properties that increase metabolism. Research has shown that drinking 2 grams of grounded ginger dissolved in warm water may burn 43 calories in the body. It has also been revealed that hot ginger drink reduces appetite.
Besides, including Cayenne pepper in your diet may increase the amount of fat your body burns. If your body reacts to spicy foods, you should probably try something else.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Several studies have shown that Apple Cider Vinegar helps to increase the body’s metabolism. ACV, as it is popularly called, may help to lose weight by making the stomach feel full thereby preventing overeating. Two tablespoons per day are recommended for human consumption.
5. Water
Water is an essential property when it comes to increasing metabolism. Research has proven that the rate of metabolism differs from one person to the other.
Water helps to increase the body’s metabolism by 24% – 30%. Water can also help in reducing weight.
6. Seaweed
The thyroid gland requires iodine produced by thyroid hormones to function properly. Seaweed is a great source of iodine and should be consumed regularly. One of the functions of thyroid hormones is to regulate the rate of metabolism. So, when you consume seaweed constantly, iodine will be released into your body thereby increasing your metabolism.
Note that certain types of seaweed contain a large amount of iodine than others. For instance, kelp is very high in iodine and should be taken with caution. Fucoxanthin is a compound found in some types of seaweed and helps to increase the rate of metabolism. This compound may have properties that prevent obesity by increasing the number of calories you burn.
7. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Unlike other fats, MCTs don’t have a higher amount of fatty acids. When coconut oil is absorbed by the body, it goes straight to the liver and gets converted to energy, not fat.
This implies that MCTs can increase the rate of metabolism more than the other fats. Research also proved that regular intake of coconut oil can reduce weight, especially in obese individuals.
Now that you know the foods that help to increase your metabolism, you should include them in your diet. Consuming these foods regularly will help you lose weight and keep fit thereby preventing certain illnesses. Note that while trying to increase your metabolism, foods are not the only way to do so. Do not neglect exercises, rest, sleep, and body activities.
Incorporating these tips into your daily routine can produce great changes in your overall health.