Metabolism is a process in which the foods that you eat get converted into energy. The bodies of people who have a higher metabolic rate are able to burn calories at a faster pace. The nutrients gained by the body after breaking down these calories are used by it for basic activities like breathing, digestion, and more.
To increase your metabolic rate, you should make smart food choice. A faster metabolic rate will help you to stay fit by burning extra fat and improving overall state of health. Since proteins and complex carbohydrates need more energy to break down and get absorbed, foods that are rich in both these are perfect to enhance metabolism.
Foods rich in protein and carbohydrates lead to less release of insulin in the bloodstream by spreading the release of caloric energy. Fats and sugars, on the other hand, provide you a temporary energy boost, followed by a periods of low energy. This increases your craving for sweets and fat products.
Listed below are some of the best foods to enhance metabolism.
Vegetables
We all know that vegetables are a very rich source of fiber and numerous vitamins and minerals. As a result of this, the breakdown and absorption of minerals takes much longer. This increases the metabolic rate by making your body spend increased amount of energy. Some vegetables that you can consume to enhance metabolism include radish, tomatoes, broccoli, turnip, spinach, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chicory, cress, cucumbers, fennel, leek, gourd, marrow, and lettuce.
Fruits
Fruits are easily the best source of dietary fiber. The natural sugar that fruits contain is much better than refined sugar. Some of the best fruits to enhance metabolism include blackberries, apples, apricots, damsons, blackcurrant, grapefruits, oranges, guavas, peaches, plums, strawberries, and raspberries.
Spicy Foods
Hot and spicy foods like chili peppers contain Capsaicin, which is a compound that generates plenty of heat, thereby helping to burn more calories after eating. Black pepper, chilies, and ginger are some other spices that contain similar compounds and produce similar effects. Studies have shown that having a spicy dish in your meal can temporarily boost your metabolic rate by about eight percent.
Whole Grains
Whole grains like wheat, oats and barley are effective for increasing metabolism. Whole grains contain abundant of protein and fiber, thereby making it difficult to break them down. This increases the amount of energy that the body spends on the breakdown and absorption of these foods, thereby boosting metabolism.
Ginger and Garlic
Ginger and garlic help to stimulate the fat burning mechanism of your body by increasing the body temperature. Moreover, they are also used as diuretics. Regular consumption of ginger and garlic will not only increase metabolism, but also help to strengthen the immune system.
Vinegar
The acid that vinegar contains slows down digestion of starch and maintains balanced insulin levels. This can reduce the blood sugar by approximately thirty percent, speed up metabolism, and also treat metabolic disorders.
Essential Fatty Acids
Omega-3 essential fatty acids have a direct effect on the level of leptin, which is a fat hormone that influences the amount of calories that are burnt and stored in the body as fats. People who have low leptin levels manage to burn more calories. Some of the best sources of omega-3 fats include tuna, salon, sardines, and lean white fish.