10 Superfoods To Speed Your Metabolism

Green tea

There’s a process that occurs in us called thermogenesis (which sounds like something out of a science fiction movie) but really, it’s just the name given to the production of heat in our bodies. The theory goes that the warmer our inner body temperature becomes, the more energy we use trying to cool it down. Green tea is said to promote fat burning by stimulating this process, which increases energy expenditure and fat oxidization.

Green tea is made from unfermented tea leaves, and contains an extremely high concentration of antioxidants called polyphenols. These antioxidants can neutralize free radicals and may even reduce or prevent damage caused by them. One of the main polyphenols found in green tea is a chemical called epigallocatechin (EGCG), which further boosts the process of thermogenesis. Not only is EGCG a natural enhancer of energy levels, it contributes to muscle building, both of which can give your metabolism a healthy boost.

Said to be the world’s healthiest drink, green tea holds a huge amount of antioxidants. An antioxidant is a chemical produced by the body and found in fruit, vegetables and grains, that helps prevent damage caused by free radicals which are by-products of the foods we eat. These champion antioxidants, specifically flavonoids, have multiple benefits that include fighting against viruses and inflammation, helping with allergies and aiding in cancer prevention. Early clinical studies performed at the University of Maryland Medical Center have suggested that the polyphenols in tea may play an important role in the prevention of cancer, by helping to kill potentially cancerous cells and stop more from growing.

Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper

Called ‘lightning in a bottle’ for a reason, cayenne pepper comes with a myriad of health benefits. Originating in Central and South America and used as both food and medicine for over 9000 years, it’s become a staple in many diet plans – and for very good reasons.

Cayenne pepper has been proven to help digestion, stimulate circulation, reduce acidity, cure diarrhea, stop stomach pain, and act as a natural remedy for cramps. The substance that gives cayenne pepper this superhero status is capsaicin, which is also an active ingredient in many topical ointments and deep-heat muscle rubs. Capsaicin acts as an appetite suppressant, so one or two pinches of cayenne pepper a day can help curb cravings.

Ingesting spices such as cayenne pepper can heat up your body’s internal temperature and stimulate the action of thermogenic, which as you now know, is an important part of the metabolic process. Of course, you should use everything in moderation and cayenne pepper is no different. Too much may cause diarrhea, skin rashes and more. Consider sprinkling some cayenne pepper into your next meal, or even your morning smoothies. And if you’re not a big fan of spice, adding just one or two pinches to your daily intake is enough to give your metabolism a healthy boost.

Grapefruit

This sour fruit may take some getting used to, but the health benefits are almost unrivaled by any other fruit. Grapefruit helps fight various issues like fatigue, fever, malaria, diabetes, constipation, indigestion and more. Grapefruits hold high amounts of fiber which makes us feel fuller for longer, and stimulates cholecystokinin, a hormone that can regulate digestive juice and act as an appetite suppressant.

Studies suggest different colored grapefruits have different benefits. Pink and red grapefruits contain the antioxidant lycopene, which has free-radical fighting properties, and other chemicals that protect against heart disease and the formation of tumors. Research published by the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Jian L, Lee AH, et al.) suggests that choosing to eat grapefruit and other foods rich in lycopene, may greatly reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer, especially when paired with green tea.

Grapefruit also strengthens the immune system. Maintaining healthy levels of vitamin C can reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms, and acts as a natural antihistamine. According to Lauren Blake, registered dietician at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, just half a grapefruit provides about 78% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C.

Grapefruit is a popular staple among dieters due to its impressive array of health benefits. In an interview with medicaldaily.com, Dr. Blake goes on to say “while grapefruit does not have any magical fat-burning properties, it is low in calories and is a good source of fiber, which helps keep us full for longer by taking longer to digest… Grapefruit also has a high water content, which can help you feel full and stay hydrated.”

Apples

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” a few times in your life, and once you look into all the health benefits that come with eating apples, you’ll be quickly reaching for one. Apples contain a large variety of vitamins needed to keep metabolism at its best, including vitamin K, and vitamin B, which is essential in turning proteins, carbohydrates and fats into energy.

Many various minerals, such as magnesium, manganese and potassium promote a healthy metabolism by powering the conversion of carbohydrates and fats into energy and metabolizing carbs and proteins.

Apples contain lots of fiber, which fills you up and slows down digested food as it moves through our bodies. This means sugar enters the bloodstream slowly, without spiking blood sugar levels. When these levels get too high, the extra amount is stored as fat.

According to a study published by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2007, apples were found to improve the balance of bacteria in the digestive tract, which allows our bodies to maximize nutrient absorption and eliminate toxins and harmful bacteria.

Ginger

Ginger has been used as a food, spice and medicine for centuries, and is purported to treat various ailments like nausea, colds, arthritis and migraines. Belonging to the same family that includes cardamom and turmeric, ginger holds a large amount of benefits that include promotion of digestion, stimulation of metabolism, which increases calorie burning. Like cayenne pepper, it stimulates the thermogenic process.

Ginger is a vasodilator, which means it increases the diameter of blood vessels and enhances blood circulation. This allows for an increase in oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the body. Vasodilation also aids metabolism by improving the removal of catabolic waste products.

According to a study performed by Mashhadi, N. S, et al., the health-promoting aspects of ginger can be attributed to the rich phytochemistry found in it. Ginger also contains anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties that can be used to control signs of aging, and it’s also antimicrobial. The consumption of ginger before exercising has been theorized to reduce naturally-occurring muscle pain, due to its anti-inflammatory effects.

While some may find the taste of ginger to be quite strong, there are various ways in which you can easily get a daily dose of it. Adding a teaspoon of powdered ginger to lemon and warm water in the morning can kick-start your day, and give your metabolism a boost.

Black coffee

Black coffee contains several biologically active substances that can affect metabolism, including caffeine; one of the few substances that help move fats from fat tissues. The other substances are theobromine and theophylline, close relatives of caffeine that can cause a stimulant effect; and chlorogenic acid – one of the active compounds in coffee that may help slow the absorption of carbs. When carbs are absorbed slowly, blood sugar levels are kept steady. This can make it easier to control cravings that can cause weight gain and diabetes.

Over the past few years, studies have come out in favor of a daily coffee habit. In an interview with AFP, Miriam Nelson, a professor from the School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, said, “We looked at all the science… We have found no negative, adverse effects on health when you drink up to three to five cups a day.” Good news, right? Wait, it gets better. Professor Nelson then goes on to say, “In fact, there is a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and […] breast and prostate cancer.”

Though more studies are required to get a better understanding of how coffee gets its health benefits, you now have one more reason to look forward to your daily morning coffee.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon spice is made from the inner bark of a tree called Cinnamomum, and has been used for many years to treat a wide array of conditions like coughing, arthritis and sore throats. Various studies have shown cinnamon to be so full of antioxidants that it outranks other superfoods like garlic, and can even be used as a natural food preservative.

Research led by Sheila West, associate professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State University, found that eating a diet rich in spices like cinnamon can reduce the body’s negative responses to high-fat meals. In a subsequent interview, West goes on to say, “We found that adding spices to a high-fat meal reduced triglyceride response by about 30 percent, compared to a similar meal with no spices added.”

A compound called cinnamaldehyde is responsible for most of these powerful effects on health and metabolism and is also the reason cinnamon has that distinct flavor and scent.

Almonds

Almonds are frequently touted as one of the healthiest snacks available, with a ¼ cup boasting an impressive 207 calories, 5 grams of protein and fiber, 7 grams of carbohydrates, as well as vitamin E, riboflavin, calcium, iron and more. Don’t be deterred by their high-calorie content though. The fats found in almonds are the “good kind” – monounsaturated fats – which have been associated with a reduction of risk of heart diseases.

According to studies published in the Journal of Nutrition, almonds and other nuts appear to decrease rises in blood sugar after meals, as well as provide antioxidants that rid the body of the small amounts of free radicals that might remain.

These days, it’s easy to get a good dose of almonds in your daily food intake. Almonds have become a popular base ingredient for many dairy and gluten alternatives, including almond butter, almond milk and almond flour. Tossing a handful of slivered almonds into a salad, over your oatmeal, or blended up into smoothies, this superfood has fast become a versatile staple to many kitchen cupboards.

Broccoli

This tasty green cruciferous vegetable packs a large nutritious punch, with very little calories. Containing no fat, very high levels of vitamin C, and high in fibre, potassium, vitamin B6 and A, broccoli can give us an essential dose of antioxidants. It aids digestion, boosts cardiovascular and immune systems, and has anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventing properties. An article by Dr. Joseph Mercola discusses the benefits of broccoli, including the phytochemicals found to benefit arthritis, blood pressure levels, vision and skin health.

According to research performed at the University of Illinois and published on sciencedaily.com, certain flavonoids found in broccoli are associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and some types of cancer.

The key to getting a healthier, faster metabolism isn’t as easy as simply adding one or two things to our diet. But a combination of healthy food, lifestyle and exercise can put your metabolism on the fast track back to weight loss and overall health.