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Your body's metabolism determines how fast your body burns incoming calories. The slower the metabolism, the longer the calories and fat in the body are burned. This certainly hinders your goal if you want to lose weight.
But did you know that some of the following foods are believed to increase the body's metabolism, which can basically help you burn fat and keep your body healthy? What kind of food? Check it out below.
1. Chicken breast
One of the most interesting ways to increase your metabolism is by adding muscle mass. Men's Fitness explains that muscle is made of tissue with a high level of activity that demands more to maintain energy than fat. Chicken breast is good for metabolism, as it is low in fat, and also contains essential nutrients to help you recover faster between exercise sessions.
2. Green tea
Green tea or green tea is one of the best foods to increase metabolism. Green tea is rich in EGCG and flavonoids, both of which are antioxidants that can trigger metabolism. The small dose of caffeine in tea will stimulate the central nervous system, and it will speed up your body burning calories.
3. Low-fat dairy products
Low-fat dairy products are rich in calcium and play an important role in the regulation of energy metabolism. Excellent sources of calcium are milk, cheese and low-fat yogurt. These foods provide additional nutrients that are essential for health and for increasing the breakdown of fat, thereby helping with weight loss. In addition, low-fat dairy products also contain high-quality protein which can help suppress appetite. High quality protein foods contain all of the amino acids that make up the building blocks of protein. Conversely, a lack of calcium in the body can trigger the release of the hormone calcitriol, which can stimulate fat storage
4. Chili
If your food is spicy, it's good for your metabolism. Red and green chilies contain capsaicin, which is a nutrient that gives a spicy taste. Capsaicin will make your body burn a lot more calories after you finish eating. You will get a faster heart rate and metabolism due to this amazing spicy nutrient.
5. Fish
Fish such as sardines, salmon, tuna and mackerel which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids have a positive effect on metabolism. According to American Heart Association , people should eat fatty fish at least 2 times a week. A single serving of cooked fish is 3.5 ounces. One 3.2-ounce serving of sardines provides 1.34 grams or 55.8% of the daily value for omega-3 fatty acids. One 4-ounce serving of salmon provides 1.47 grams or 61.2% of the daily value of omega-3 fatty acids. One 4-ounce serving of tuna provides 0.33 grams or 13.8% of the recommended daily value for omega-3 fatty acids.
These types of fish can increase levels of fat burning enzymes and decrease fat storage enzymes. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids can lower the levels of leptin (the weight-controlling hormone) in the body, allowing your body to burn calories more quickly.
6. Fruits
Fruits like blueberries and strawberries that are high in fiber can help you burn more fat by moving macronutrients through your digestive system. The recommended daily intake of fiber is 38 grams for men and 25 grams for women up to 50 years of age. A cup of raw blueberries contains 3.6 grams of fiber, so it meets 14% of women's daily fiber and 9% of men's daily fiber. One cup of strawberry slices contains 3.3 grams of fiber, which can meet the daily fiber of 17% for women and 11 & for men.
Foods that are high in vitamin C such as citrus fruits can help your body burn fat quickly and increase metabolism. According to a study conducted by Scripps Clinic researchers, citrus fruits including limes, lemons, oranges, and grapefruit have chemical properties that can help lower insulin levels, thereby promoting weight loss. These fruits are also loaded with calcium, folate, fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C. Apart from that, they are also packed with powerful phytochemicals that play an important role in the development of a strong immune system.
7. Vegetables
Like whole grains, spinach also has fiber which is very good for the body. Spinach offers several other important nutrients that can help increase calorie burning, especially iron. These minerals send oxygen through the blood, so it is important to increase metabolism. Apart from spinach, broccoli and other dark green vegetables also contain lots of chlorophyll, which is one of the nutrients to increase metabolism.