Green Tea
[post_ads]You likely already expected green tea on this list of naturally metabolism revving foods. OK, so it’s not technically a food, but a drink, you got me. However, this brew (along with green tea extract) is credited by numerous scientific studies with accelerating metabolism. In addition to incorporating green tea into your weight loss efforts, 2012 research published by WedMD, found that the rich antioxidant content in an afternoon mug could help protect the body from disease-causing radicals, which have been linked to prostate and breast cancers.
Spices
Black pepper, cayenne pepper, chili powder, and even ground ginger have one very important thing in common—these spices are known to accelerate your metabolic rate. Most notably, a 2001 Canadian study, published by the National Institutes of Health, says the seedier and more pungent the spice—the better it is for energy increase. The study pointed out that participants who consumed meals seasoned with ground black pepper, powdered ginger, powdered onion, red pepper, and mustard seeds burned upwards of 1,000 additional calories per day!
Nuts & Seeds
According to animal studies conducted at the University of Wisconsin, consuming a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids is a sure way to increase your metabolism and energy levels. Scientists monitored the diets of lab mice and found that rodents who consumed greater amounts of omega-3’s had a higher metabolism due to lower levels of a hormone, known as leptin. Researchers noted in their findings that omega-3’s naturally help lower leptin, which in turn, leads to naturally lower metabolism
Fatty Fish
Likewise, research conducted by the Mayo Clinic noted that a diet high in omega-3 rich fatty fish had similar effects on metabolism—and was also responsible for lowering levels of leptin in the human body. The researchers recognized the link when studying African tribes whose diets were rich in fatty fish—like salmon and mackerel. Due to the fish-based diets, tribesmen and women reduced their leptin levels by up to 5-percent.
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Hemp & Flaxseed Oil
Both of these touted super foods contain their fair share of energy-boosting omega-3 fatty acids, which can be of use if you don’t eat or don’t like fish. Hemp oil and flaxseed oil can be incorporated into cooking, smoothies, and baking as healthy sources of essential fatty acids, which in addition to metabolism, are also great for skin, nails, and hair.
Hot Peppers
Like dried spices, raw and cooked hot peppers—such as cayenne, jalapeno, and habanero—can cause your metabolism to spike naturally. Just think about how hot you get under the collar when eating something spiced with these potent peppers. In addition to quickening metabolism, a 2010 study from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology also credits hot peppers with reducing appetite cravings due to the rich capsaicin within. The capsaicin compound naturally speeds up both blood circulation and metabolic rate, which is exactly why you sweat when you eat hot wings or nachos seasoned with particularly hot peppers.
