Miscellaneous Food Items and Spices that Boost Metabolism

Metabolism Boosting Spices & Miscellaneous Food Items

Cayenne Pepper Flakes:

Cayenne pepper flakes are a good source for a metabolism boost because of its ability to increase the body’s internal temperature cause the body to work harder to cool itself down. By the body working twice as hard to stay cool it is using up more calories. Cayenne pepper flakes can induce calorie burning by up to 25%. Individuals that include cayenne pepper flakes in their foods and drinks have burned 50 to 75 more calories. Cayenne pepper flakes are derived from cayenne peppers. Cayenne peppers are among many other chilies that have been known to aide in weight loss. Many individuals have used cayenne pepper in combination with lemon, honey and warm water. This combination detoxifies the body; purging the body of excessive fat and waste that line the intestinal tract. By forcing out this waste, the body also sheds unwanted fat and calories. Cayenne peppers have very high levels of vitamins and minerals. Just 100 g provides (in % of RDA) 127% of vitamin-C (Ascorbic acid), 39% of vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine), 54% of niacin, 71% of riboflavin, 1387% of vitamin A, 97.5% of iron, 41% of copper and 43% of potassium.

Garlic:

Garlic, although not favored for its smell, is popular among many for its many health benefits such as boosting metabolism and a healthy heart. One or two garlic cloves in your meal will make a huge difference in flavor and in your health. Garlic is known for its ability to help regulate blood pressure, keeps arteries free of plaque, lowers cholesterol, and decrease the risk of heart attack. A healthy heart will mean that your body’s metabolism will function better. Garlic is rich in antioxidants containing both Vitamin C (71% of RDA) and selenium. These two antioxidants help expel unstable oxygen molecules from the body that can cause extensive damage to the body’s cells and tissues. These molecules known as free radicals are believed to be the cause of many diseases including asthma, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Studies suggest that garlic may also be responsible for fat reduction. Garlic contains a sulphur compound that restricts pre-fat cells into full blown fat cells by reducing inflammation. Garlic is also a good source for Iron and Calcium (25% of RDA). 1 cup of raw garlic contains 203 calories, 6 calories from fat, 0g of saturated fat, 23mg sodium, 45g carbohydrates and 9g protein.

Curry Powder:

Curry powder is recognized by some for its green color or for its unique smell. Curry is used mostly in Indian and Caribbean recipes for its gentle spice and full flavor. Used most on meat dishes, curry powder is also acknowledged for it metabolism boosting abilities. Curry powder is a combination of spices, including turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper and/or cumin. Curry powder boosts metabolism much like peppers do. The spicy heat of curry powder raises your heart rate and body temperature. Ingredients in curry powder also have other health benefits. For instance, turmeric improves the metabolism of fats. Cinnamon has been linked to a variety of health conditions. Cinnamon has been used to regulate blood sugar, stop medication resistant yeast-infections and provide relief for arthritis. Researchers suggest that curry has been linked to the prevention of Alzheimer’s. Cumin, an ingredient in curry powder, has been said to clear the brain of protein deposits that have been linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s. Curry powder contains 20 calories, 7 calories from fat per tablespoon. Curry powder also contains 3mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate and 1g protein.

Peanut Butter:

Although peanut butter may be high in calories it is a great food to get your metabolism revved up. Peanut butter contains protein which helps build lean muscle. The natural sugars in peanut butter provide energy throughout the day. Most individuals will enjoy peanut butter on whole-grain or wheat toast which will provide the fiber needed for a healthy body and assist in proper weight maintenance. Peanut butter is one of the foods that take longer for your body to break down. Making your body work harder increases the amount of calories burned. Therefore despite the calorie content of peanut butter, peanut butter is a key food item in weight loss and healthy diets. Peanut butter also keeps your belly feeling full without feeling heavy. Many individuals love to snack on peanut butter with fruits and vegetable such as apples and celery, respectively. Peanut butter contains its own natural oils so when used for cooking eliminates the need for extra oil. Peanut butter contains 65 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber. Both are known for making the body work harder and burn calories. In 2 tablespoons of peanut butter there is about 190 calories and 16 grams of fat.

Almonds:

Almonds are rich in healthy monounsaturated fat. Almonds also contain other nutrients such as Vitamin E, Magnesium and Phosphorus. Many that are trying to lower they cholesterol may include almonds into their daily diets as almonds are known reducing cholesterol and lowering blood sugar. Almonds are also linked to boosting your metabolism and aiding in weight loss. Evidence also indicates that almonds may boost your metabolism and increase weight loss. A recent study revealed that overweight women who went on a 12 week high-monounsaturated fat diet showed a decrease in body fat and gained lean muscle mass. Lean muscle mass increases the amount of energy your body uses since your body burns calories in order to hold onto muscle mass. It is important to keep in mind that almonds, as are most nuts, are high in fat and calories. Therefore it is recommend not to exceed a certain amount of nuts per day or else you may gain weight instead of lose. Almonds provide 12 grams of fiber, 25 grams of calcium and 20 grams of iron in a one-cup portion. Almonds are a part of the nut family and should be avoided if you have a nut allergy.

Olive Oil:

Olive oil can be used for cooking as well as to add flavor to salad as a dressing. Olive oil contains a number of antioxidant compounds. These antioxidant compounds have been linked to anti-inflammatory agents. People normally do not think of olive oil as a weight loss tool but its high amount of monounsaturated fat can boost your metabolism. Olive oil increase fat burning which in turn will increase your metabolism. Researchers have found that people that include olive oil in their diets use more energy and thus burn more calories. Olive oil contains health benefits that include lowering bad cholesterol levels in your blood because of its rich monounsaturated fat substance. Extra virgin olive oil contains the highest levels of antioxidant polyphenols and oleic acid. Olive oil is the healthy option to other vegetable oils. For healthy results, olive oil should be used in moderation. Just 2 tablespoon olive oil every day can help reduce the risks of heart disease. One tablespoon of olive oil contains 119 calories of which all 119 calories are from fat. However, one tablespoon of olive oil only contains 2g of saturated fat.

Beans:

Beans are a really good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber. The high fiber content of beans prevents blood sugar levels from rising too fast. Beans are an especially good choice for those with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia. Combined with whole grains such as rice or barley, beans provide fat-free high quality protein. Having a diet that contains at least 50 grams of fiber a day has shown to considerably lower blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol by about 7 percent. Besides providing complex carbohydrates which burn slower than simple carbs, beans can increase your energy by helping to replace iron. For example, a cup of lima beans contains 24.9% of the daily value for iron. Iron is especially important for women who have menstrual cycles as they are more at risk for iron deficiency. Both iron and protein can be found in red meat, however beans are a low-calorie fat-free alternative. Kidney beans contain 215 calories, 14 calories from fat in an 8 ounce serving. Canned kidney beans contain 0g saturated fat, 758mg sodium, 41g total carbohydrates and 13g of protein. Kidney beans are the most common bean used in cooking.

Sprouts:

Sprouts such as Alfalfa are a rich source of a variety of nutrients. Alfalfa sprouts are regarded as the most nutritious foods in the world. Alfalfa sprouts contain about 25 percent protein and is a good source of lysine. Lysine is an essential amino acid that is needed for producing hormones, enzymes and antibodies. Alfalfa sprouts contain many minerals and vitamins, including zinc and beta-carotene. Beta-carotene contains vitamins that responsible for energy production which helps boost your metabolism. B-vitamins such as B6 and B-12 are mainly used for cellular metabolism which burns glucose molecules to produce energy storage molecules. Sprouts are contains vitamins A, C, D, E and K which are all essential for maintaining a healthy body. The amino acids found in sprouts are also known as the “building blocks” of protein. Protein can be used to increase muscle and also be metabolized into glucose when energy is needed or when blood glucose levels are low. Bean sprouts are known for their use in Asian dishes. Alfalfa sprouts contain 4g carbohydrates, 2.5g fiber and 0.5g fat in 100g serving size.