5 Foods to Boost Your Metabolism

How fast your body burns calories is called your “metabolism.” The human body always uses energy, even while at rest, through the interplay of key organs and tissues. You may have a faster metabolism and expend energy more than the next person, but after the age of 40, the rate of metabolism starts to decrease across the board. In an abstract called “Healthy Body Weights: an alternative perspective,” researchers say that women have higher average body fat percentages (in order to bear children in a healthy way) in comparison to men, which could explain why men tend to burn more calories than women when at rest.

But, don’t fret just yet. You can always improve your metabolism by staying active throughout the day; obviously, if you tend to live on the “less active” side of things, you will burn fewer calories. And, you can always give your metabolism a good kick in the rear with the right foods! Thermogenesis, the process of producing heat through the digestion of food, uses about 10 percent of your caloric intake. So, foods that take longer to break down will make your body use more energy. Here are 5 Foods To Boost Your Metabolism!

What Does a Healthy Metabolism Help With?

Metabolism is important because it provides energy for the body to carry out its functions, such as breathing, circulating blood, and maintaining body temperature. Without metabolism, the body would not be able to obtain the energy it needs to survive.

Furthermore, our metabolism determines how many calories we burn to maintain our weight. If our metabolism is slow, we may burn fewer calories, leading to weight gain. If our metabolism is fast, we may burn more calories, leading to weight loss.

Metabolism also affects our overall health. Certain metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and thyroid disorders, can lead to a wide range of health problems. By understanding how metabolism works, we can better manage our diet and lifestyle to maintain optimal health.

Foods to Boost Your Metabolism:  Water

Start at the source of all life! Water is necessary to the metabolic process, and dehydration can really impede it. German researchers at Humboldt University assessed the impact of drinking 500 milliliters of water on energy expenditure. They found that, within 10 minutes of drinking the water, participants’ metabolic rates increased by an average of 30 percent. Challenge yourself and try to a drink more water every day; the goal is eight 8-ounce glasses each day. Check out my recipe for delicious Watermelon and Mint Detox Water!

Chili Peppers

If you can handle the heat, stay in the kitchen because research has shown that spicy foods containing capsaicin increase the body’s internal temperature, speeding up the metabolic process. This Healthier Ground Turkey Chili recipe has chili powder and jalapenos to really amp up the heat!

Foods To Boost Your Metabolism: Green Tea

Raise your resting metabolism by four percent with green tea. Studies show that green tea contains catechins, which are polyphenols that promote fat oxidation. The small amount of caffeine within green tea will give you more energy and ultimately boost your metabolism.

Lean Proteins

By eating three to four servings of lean meat per day (a serving of meat should be the size of your palm), you will stock your body with healthy reserves of iron. Iron is an essential mineral to metabolism, and some good sources of iron are chicken, salmon, mussels and turkey.

Try this Spaghetti Squash with Lean Turkey Meatballs or this Sweet and Spicy Salmon recipe.

Foods To Boost Your Metabolism: Whole Grains

Organic Authority writes that whole grains contain the whole enchilada, so to speak – they contain the germ, bran, and endosperm of the original grain. This means the metabolism must work harder to break their complex structures down. They’re also chock-full of B vitamins and high in fiber!

To recap, metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that occur within the body to sustain life. It’s super important as it involves the conversion of food into energy, the synthesis of molecules necessary for cell growth and repair, and the elimination of waste products. Overall, boosting metabolism can help improve your health and well-being by promoting healthy weight management, improving energy levels, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, and enhancing mental and physical performance.  That all sounds pretty great to me!

Do you incorporate any of these 5 Foods to Boost Your Metabolism into your daily diet?  What’s your favorite one?  Let me know in the comments and follow @ourfarmerhouse on Instagram for more wellness content!

XOXO,