

The metabolic rate is the body’s ability to burn fat. For any function to occur in your body – from breathing to digestion, the organs need energy. This is obtained from the calories in our food. So, when we use the phrase ‘burning calories’, it refers to the utilization of the energy that each food source provides. There are some foods that increase metabolism or the ability of the body to use these calories more than others.
But why is faster metabolism necessary? And which metabolism boosting foods should you include in your diet?
Why Do You Need Fast Metabolism?
There are some people who do not gain weight despite eating more food. They normally have a faster metabolism. So, one of the primary benefits of finding ways to boost metabolism is faster weight loss.
In addition to that, faster metabolism has other benefits:
- You feel more energetic
- The storage of fat in the body is reduced as calories are used up efficiently.
- Your body functions at its best, improving your overall health.
- You reduce the risk of health issues like heart diseases and diabetes.
By including foods that increase metabolism and burn fat, you have a safe and natural way of speeding up calorie consumption in the body.
Top 10 Foods That Increase Metabolism
Here is a list of metabolism boosting foods that you should start consuming in order to reach your weight loss and health goals faster.
1. Eggs
Consuming protein-rich foods is one of the best ways to boost metabolism. Each egg contains approximately 6g of protein, proving to be one of the best and easiest foods to add to your diet. In comparison to all the other nutrients that we consume, proteins are the most effective in increasing your metabolism.
The body needs to work harder in order to digest proteins. As a result, it needs more energy and thereby ends up using more calories. This effect caused by nutrients is known as TEF or the Thermogenic Effect of Food. It is the most important factor in determining the best metabolism boosting foods.
2. Lentils
Lentils are the most functional food group to obtain faster metabolism. They are a regular part of our diet and are loaded with nutrients. You also have a large variety of lentils that you can mix up to make your diet more interesting.
Lentils have been proven to treat and prevent metabolic syndrome. One of the main reasons for this is the high protein content that you can find in lentils. They are also rich in fiber, improving gut microflora which plays an important role in your metabolism.
3. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are counted amongst the best metabolism boosting foods because of their protein and fiber content. People who suffer from metabolic syndrome can benefit immensely by consuming just a spoonful of flaxseeds each day.
Flaxseeds help improve the gut microflora by providing them with the foods that they need to populate. This aids your metabolism and even helps prevent issues like obesity, heart issues, and diabetes.
4. Chilies
When you eat food that is spicy, you immediately begin to feel fuller. This gives you dual benefits if you are trying to lose weight. Chilies contain a compound called capsaicin which is responsible for all the health benefits.
Capsaicin gives chilies a very high thermogenic effect, increasing the rate at which fat is burnt in the body. It also keeps your appetite in control. There are other benefits of adding chilies to your diet, as it is rich in antioxidants and can also have anti-inflammatory effects.
5. Coffee
The caffeine content present in coffee is a popular stimulant. It helps improve the expenditure of energy in the body, thereby boosting metabolism. However, since caffeine is also a stimulant, you need to control the amount you consume each day.
Coffee is best when consumed without any sugar or milk. The latter adds to the calorie intake, reducing the benefits of coffee. Besides being one of the best foods that increase metabolism, coffee also helps you stay alert and active. This is highly beneficial when you are training for long hours. It also helps reduce appetite, allowing you to stay on track with a low-calorie diet which is vital for weight loss.
6. Dark Leafy Greens
Greens like kale and spinach are well-known foods that increase metabolism. This is because of their rich iron content. Iron is one of the most important nutrients when it comes to metabolism and growth. Some of these dark green vegetables also have a good magnesium content. Magnesium is another mineral that is responsible for carrying out more than 300 metabolic processes in the body.
To get maximum benefits of dark green leafy vegetables, pairing them with any Vitamin C source like lemon is a good idea. This improves the absorption of iron, consequently improving metabolism.
7. Ginger
Ginger is known to increase the internal temperature of the body. This makes it a good thermogenic food item. It helps improve the rate at which fat is burnt in the body, thereby increasing metabolic rate.
Ginger is also among foods that increase metabolism and burn fat. It is known to have significant benefits even for people who are obese. Not only does ginger improve metabolism but it also reduces your fasting glucose level and improves the good cholesterol level in the blood.
There are other benefits of consuming ginger regularly, including its anti-inflammatory properties and immunity-boosting capabilities.
8. Tea
Just like coffee, tea is a good beverage to improve your metabolism. It contains catechins which have the same effect as caffeine when it comes to boosting your metabolism.
Green tea is the best form of tea that you can consume for faster metabolism because of its lower calorie count. Teas like oolong tea are also known to improve the oxidation of fat, releasing more energy. Studies show that oolong tea can improve fat-burning capabilities by almost 17%.
9. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar often features in the list of metabolism boosting foods. It is known for its ability to increase the rate at which fat is burnt in the body to produce energy. You can consume up to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to enjoy all the benefits without any damage or erosion to the lining of the gut. It can be consumed with water or added to salads as a vinaigrette.
Apple cider is very useful in weight loss because it has the ability to suppress appetite. This means you experience fewer food cravings and hunger pangs.
10. Broccoli
Among diet and health foods, broccoli features at the top of the list. It is one of the best protein sources for vegetarians. The high protein content boosts metabolism, no doubt. However, the reason for broccoli being on the list of metabolism boosting foods is a compound called glucoraphanin.
This compound not only boosts metabolism but is also useful in restoring your metabolic rate. It also helps prevent a host of degenerative diseases.
Conclusion
Add variety to your diet with the above-mentioned list of 10 metabolism boosting foods. While consuming foods that increase metabolism is a great way to improve calorie consumption in the body, you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle too. Make sure you drink lots of water and stay active to get the real benefits of these foods.
These foods should be part of a healthy and balanced diet. You should ensure that the food sources that you choose do not add to empty calorie intake. Fresh produce and other nutrient-dense foods are vital to keep your metabolic health at its best.
New to dieting