When it comes to losing weight and being healthier, increasing your metabolism plays a major role. This is because a faster metabolism helps you with digestion, and helps burn off fat even while you’re sleeping.
Here are some foods that have been shown to help give your metabolism a boost and help you get on your way to a fitter you:
Ginger
Ginger has long been used as a digestive aid, soothing the stomach and reducing inflammation in the digestive tracts.
This can contribute to a flatter, healthier-looking tummy. The heat it creates when it is eaten also boosts the metabolic rate by raising the internal temperature of the body and forcing it to burn more.
Chop ginger into a stir fry or drink as a tea to get the most out of your root.
Green Tea
One ingredient, caffeine, is a stimulant that raises your heart rate and compels your system to burn calories faster.
Green tea also has catechins, substances that some experts believe help burn belly fat.
Try to aim for three cups a day.
Coffee
Again, the caffeine kicks your metabolism into high gear and also jump-starts lipolysis, the breakdown of fat.
One to two cups a day is ideal.
Spices
From cayenne to garlic to cinnamon, spices are one of the best ways you can keep your metabolic rates high.
Especially speedy are the more pungent spices such as black pepper, mustard seeds, powdered onion, and ginger.
A Canadian study found that using spices enabled people to burn up to 1,000+ calories daily than those not incorporating spices into their diet.
Asparagus
Like beetroot, Asparagus is particularly high in vitamin B, which naturally aids a healthy metabolism.
It is also high in fiber and other antioxidants, which help to maintain your insulin levels and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Berries
Great overall health is essential to maintaining a high metabolic rate, which is why we thoroughly recommend getting your fill of berries.
Not only are they full of beauty-boosting antioxidants, but they’re packed with fiber too essential for staving off hunger pangs and regulating insulin production.
Olive Oil
Healthy monounsaturated fats like olive oil can actually aid the body in burning calories.
To get the benefit, you have to replace other types of fat, like cream or butter, with olive oil, and consume it only in limited quantities.
Coconut Water
This super-hydrator keeps you from getting dehydrated, which disrupts your metabolism.
Water
When your body is dehydrated, it cannot burn calories as efficiently.
Of course, you may see a temporary drop in weight, but to keep your metabolism working efficiently over the long haul, it needs to be fully hydrated to be functional.
Drink at least 8 glasses a day to keep your system in check.
Bringing all Together
Consuming foods that boost metabolism will help you almost right away. However, to achieve long-term benefits with regard to weight loss, be sure to complement these foods with a healthy lifestyle and a good exercise routine.
This will give you the lasting benefits you’re looking for! As always, before making any drastic changes to your lifestyle, check with your doctor or a health care professional!