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How many times have you heard people blame their current weight on their slow metabolism?… but wait, what is metabolism?
Metabolism is basically involved in all the chemical reactions happening to your body as you read this article, breakdown and absorption of nutrients, It also plays a role in transporting nutrients in and out of cells for all of our bodily functions. |
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Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition… this is great news people!! Because that means we have the power to change things. We have the power to boost our metabolism and get our body to its optimal performance level!…. and this is why we have put together a few foods that will help give your metabolism a well-deserved boost.
Hot peppers contain antioxidants and vitamins that have several health benefits; they reduce cell damage, improve immunity, help prevent cancer and speed up your metabolism.
The spicy taste of peppers comes from capsaicin, when your body reacts to this chemical it causes an increase in oxygen intake and your body is required to burn more calories to keep up with these reactions. But if you don’t like hot peppers, no need to worry, sweet peppers have showed to cause your body to burn more calories after consumption as well, so all peppers are full of vitamins, antioxidants and metabolism boosting properties so let’s pepper away!
A study published by the Journal of Medicinal Foods suggests that eating a fresh grapefruit before meals is associated with significant weight loss. Grapefruit is a low calorie fruit that is full of vitamin C and antioxidants. It is also known for improving insulin resistance, boosting metabolism and it can act as a tumor cell suppressant.
Green tea contains polyphenols which act as antioxidants. Research has shown that polyphenols help prevent chronic diseases. According to a Harvard Women’s Health Watch publication; green tea has been associated with a reduced risk of several types of cancers including, skin, esophageal, colon, lung and breast.
In a study published by the Journal of Medicinal Food; a group of overweight women given green tea combined with a resistance training program showed decreased body fat, waist circumference, and triacylglyceride levels and increased lean body mass and muscle strength compared to the other subjects’ only taking green tea or a placebo, hence the need for incorporating a resistance training program to achieve results.
If you are looking for a more natural pre-workout, caffeine and green tea extract would give you that boost of energy you need during your workout. We suggest consulting with your doctor, before taking any supplements.
Blueberries contain great antioxidants that minimize free radicals in our bodies, free radicals inhibit weight loss and muscle growth. Blueberries help prevent this build up and help your body function properly to keep you healthy. Adding blueberries to your morning oatmeal, cereal or in your morning parfait would be a great way to add some delicious nutrition to begin your day!
Vinegar medicinal uses have been known for centuries. It helps your digestive system with the absorption and utilization of essential nutrients. It is known as an appetite suppressant, and it increases your body’s metabolic rate, allowing your body to burn more calories. It also prevents your body from becoming too acidic which aids weight loss as well, so if you were looking for a new condiment to add flavor to your foods, look no further!
According to a study published by the Journal of Nutrition; cinnamon can boost your immune system and it can reduce inflammation. It also allows our cells to utilize the sugars in our blood more efficiently rather than storing those sugars as fats. Another study published by the Journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, reported that cinnamon can help diabetic patients by regulating blood glucose levels after eating, so put down the sugar for that dessert and sprinkle some cinnamon on top!
Cardoso GA, Salgado JM, Cesar Mde C, Donado-Pestana CM.Journal of Medicinal Food. 2013 Feb;16(2):120-7. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2012.0062
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/natural-foods/natural-weight-loss-food-grapefruit-ga.
Kirkham S, Akilen R, Sharma S, Tsiami A. Journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism. 2009 Dec;11(12):1100-13. doi:10.1111/j.1463-1326.2009.01094.x.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Heart_Letter/2012/December/green-tea-may-lower-heart-disease-risk
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