Do you feel lethargic by mid-day? Do you feel lazy? If yes, it is because of slow metabolism. Let’s check out this article; It is about foods that boost metabolism.
Metabolism refers to a series of chemical reactions that occur in a living organism to sustain life. These processes include the breakdown of food and building and repairing your body. The amount of energy measured in Kilojoules(KJ) is the energy the body burns at any given time. There are many reasons for a low metabolism, but the main reason is physical inactivity. This article talks about foods that boost your metabolism.
Top Foods That Boost Metabolism
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Eggs
Protein-rich foods are one of the best options to boost metabolism. Eggs are protein-rich food and an ideal choice to boost your metabolism. Eggs are not only rich in protein but also phosphorous, selenium, calcium and zinc. They increase the body’s metabolic rate as the body uses more energy to digest than carbohydrates and fats.
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Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds contain proteins, vitamins, fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, thiamine, and copper. They are also called ‘functional food’; eating flaxseeds helps boost metabolism. Eating flaxseeds also improves metabolic syndrome conditions like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. They have fibre that ferments in the gut and improves the gut’s bacterial profile while also aiding the metabolic process and keeping a check on weight gain.
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Lentils
Lentils are a source of fibre and protein, which helps increase the metabolism and makes you feel full. They also have a low glycaemic index, which means it prevents blood sugar spikes in the body. Lentils reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer, and heart disease. They are also rich in prebiotic fibre, which promotes digestive function and ‘fuels’ the beneficial gut bacteria.
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Chili Peppers
Spicy meals or meals that contain fresh or dried chilli peppers can increase metabolism and give a feeling of fullness. Capsaicin, a compound found in peppers, reduces inflammation, is an anti-cancer agent, and provides antioxidants. Peppers are beneficial for your heart and help fight against cholesterol.
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Ginger
Having ginger in your meals helps in increasing body temperature, improving metabolic rate and controlling appetite. It has antioxidant properties that fight free radicals and prevent inflammation. It also helps reduce nausea during pregnancy and after chemotherapy treatments. Gingerols, a compound found in ginger, have an anti-obesity effect. This compound helps to digest food quickly and stabilises your blood sugar levels.
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Green Tea
Green tea contains bioactive substances like caffeine and EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) which boost metabolism and help break down fat cells. According to a study, people who took green tree extract before exercise burned 17% more fat than people who didn’t take it.
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Coffee
Coffee stimulates metabolism, thanks to its caffeine content. Caffeine is a substance that mobilises fat from your fat tissues and helps increase metabolism. Caffeine increases the blood levels of the hormone called epinephrine. Epinephrine also known as adrenaline, travels through the blood to fat tissues and signals them to break down.
Also Read: The Secret Recipe For Stress Relief
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Brazil Nuts
Brazil nuts are one of the richest sources of selenium, a mineral that is essential for metabolism, reproduction, and immune function. It also contains protein and fats that make people feel fuller. This mineral is crucial for the Thyroid gland, regulates metabolic function and produces vital hormones.
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Broccoli
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable rich in antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds. It has many nutrients like fibre, vitamin C&K, iron, and potassium. Since it has a high water content and fibre, it is a great combination to make you feel full. It also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which helps boost metabolism and lowers blood fat levels.
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Dark and leafy green vegetables
Vegetables like Spinach, kale, and other green leafy vegetables boost your metabolism because of their iron content. Iron is an essential mineral for metabolism, growth, and development. Leafy green vegetables also provide a good amount of magnesium, which is another mineral that supports metabolic function.
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Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder is produced from Cocoa beans and has nutrients like fibre, iron, magnesium, copper, and zinc. The powder improves fat metabolism and increases energy. If you want to lose weight, you can consume it, but be careful with the quantity of the powder consumed.
Summing up
Metabolism can slow down if you don’t have a balanced diet. It can cause many health problems. Therefore, it is crucial to include food which helps in boosting your metabolism. Having a good metabolism will help you live a longer life.
