Everyday food items that will help boost your metabolism and put you on the fast track to good health!
Everyday food items that will help boost your metabolism and put you on the fast track to good health!
Talk about fitness, nutrition and diets, and the word ‘metabolism’ is often bandied about, many times with little or no understanding of the concept. Most people, when asked what metabolism is, believe it’s simply about the energy your body burns.
But metabolism is so much more than that! Metabolism is the combined effect of all the varied biochemical processes that continually occur in your body on a cellular level. These processes enable every individual component of your body to function, making it possible for you to think, digest food, move and perform all the functions of a living, breathing being.
Anyone can benefit from a boosted metabolism because your metabolism is literally the powerhouse to your body, providing energy to keep you going.
A well-boosted metabolism helps ensure your body is functioning properly and ensures you are at less risk of diseases like diabetes, which is a sign of a metabolic disorder, or a sign of your metabolism not functioning properly.
The main job of metabolism is breaking down food and converting it to energy in two steps called anabolism and catabolism. In a way, anabolism and catabolism exist to balance each other out.
Signs that you need to boost your metabolism:
- Bloating after eating
- Frequently urinating
- Anxiety and depression
- Trouble sleeping
- Low energy levels
- Getting sick often
Foods that will help you boost your metabolism
- Chocolate
Dark chocolate can help boost metabolism. Raw cacao is one of the best food sources of magnesium, and magnesium helps to support healthy glucose levels. As with all sweets, less is better, but a bit of dark chocolate won’t hurt your efforts towards a better metabolism and might even give you the boost you are looking for!
2. Cucumbers
They’re packed with water, so they help to hydrate your body and boost metabolism, plus they have plenty of vitamins, nutrients, and fiber, all with very low caloric levels. You can try adding them to more dishes than are not just salads.
3. Green tea
Green tea is rich in antioxidants like polyphenols which have numerous health benefits and also aid in weight loss. Caffeine helps in warding off lethargy and can even increase your endurance during workouts. Green tea also contains a plant compound called EGCG that helps in burning fat.
4. Beans
Beans are often suggested for those wanting to lose weight because their nutrients have a very positive effect on your metabolism. While they may be colloquially known as the musical fruit, they are definitely worth exploring if you don’t currently include them in your regular diet.
5. Apples
Apples are a low-calorie, nutrient-dense source of fiber, so eating them with meals or as snacks can help you feel full longer. Eating an apple each day can also help prevent metabolic syndrome,a disorder associated with abdominal fat, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
6. Broccoli
High in calcium, broccoli is also extraordinarily high in vitamins C, K and A. One serving of broccoli will also provide you with plenty of folate and dietary fiber, as well as a variety of antioxidants. Broccoli is also one of the best detox foods.
7. Water
While it’s not exactly a food, it is a metabolism booster. A study found that drinking water speeds up burning of fat. It is also a natural appetite suppressant and detoxifier.
With these simple tips and tricks, you are sure to be on your way to good health!
You can follow the author on Facebook and Twitter. You can also read more of her work on her blog Healthlogus.
Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
NEW: Click here to get positive news on Whatsapp!
