Metabolism, in scientific terms, encompasses a whole range of biochemical processes within living organisms. It may be understood as the rate at which your body can break down the food materials and transform them into energy. In simpler terms, you may appreciate it as the rate at which your body burns the calories and carries out the various other chemical processes.
As you know, calories are the deciding factor behind other parameters related to the body, such as weight and physical strength. As such, when your rate of metabolism is given a boost, it can absorb more calories, which in turn helps you in shedding your weight and putting away the chances of obesity and other such related health problems.
Can food items boost your metabolism?
You may have heard in several places that the rate of metabolism is determined by factors such as genetics, and it cannot be changed. But the fact remains that there are indeed ways in which you not just hasten but even slow down the rate of metabolism in your body. One of the great ways in which you can control your metabolism rate is through your food. No wonder the experts always stress on a diet when it comes to managing your body weight.By including the right kind of food that increases your rate of metabolism and complimenting it with the right physical activities, you can quickly achieve your fitness goals in no time.
List of items that can boost your metabolism
Are you wondering what these food items are? Well, wonder no more! Here is a list of ten food items recommended by the leading nutritionists that can boost your metabolism to a great extent:- Eggs: All food items that are rich in protein are a good option for stimulating metabolism. However, among them, eggs top the list. Eggs are an ideal source of protein as one e.a of a hard-boiled egg containing as much as 6.29 grams. What makes protein-rich foods such as egg a great booster of metabolism is that the body requires a higher amount of energy in breaking them down than carbohydrates or fats. This function is known as diet-induced thermodynamics.
- Flax seeds: Flax seeds are rich in a variety of nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and the like. Though people do not consume flax seeds regularly, they may be seen as a sort of functional food. That is, people consume flax seeds plainly because of the health benefits that are associated along with them. Being rich in a reasonable amount of protein and fibre, flax seeds are high for improving the rate of metabolism in the body. Not just that, when you include flax seeds in your diet, it has additional benefits in reducing and controlling conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Chilli Pepper: Do you like spicy food? Then here is a piece of good news for you – chilli peppers are also a great way of boosting up the rate of metabolism in the body. When you add either fresh or dried chilli pepper into your food, they give you a sense of fullness, and as such, there are lesser chances of overeating. Further, the complex called capsicum present in the chillies boosts metabolism and increases the rate of fat burn in the body.
- Lentils: Just as in the case of the eggs, lentils and legumes are also a rich source of protein, apart from being a good source of fibre as well. Hence they are beneficial in increasing the rate of metabolism.
- Green tea: You may already be aware that green tea works great for your body in every way. Metabolism rate is just one among the many functions in which it lends its help. Green tea can increase your metabolism rate both while you are exercising as well as when you are at rest. Just add 4 cups of green tea to your everyday schedule is seen to bring in magical changes in the body.
- Ginger: Ginger works just like the chilli peppers. It increases your body temperature, reduces appetite, and also works great in giving your metabolism a boost. Further, it also has anti-inflammatory in it.
- Green leafy vegetables: Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale are rich in iron food sources, which is an essential mineral for metabolic processes. Apart from increasing your metabolism, they are also a great source of vitamin C.
- Broccoli: Broccoli is a source of a substance called glucoraphanin. Glucoraphanin is excellent in lowering your blood fat level as well as increasing the rate of metabolism in the body.
- Coffee: Coffee also works excellent in increasing metabolism owing to the caffeine content in them. It has been indicated in most research that the intake of caffeine has a stimulating effect on the energy expenditure of the body and increases the rate of metabolism as well.
- Brazil nuts: Brazil nuts are an excellent source for the mineral called selenium that works great in increasing the rate of metabolism in the body. Not just that, Brazil nuts also helps in controlling the cholesterol level in the body.
