If you are looking to give your metabolism an extra boost, you may want to consider adding spicy foods, such as chilies and spicy mustards to your dishes. Keep in mind that certain individuals should avoid spicy food. For example, patients with acid reflux find that spicy dishes have a tendency to aggravate their symptoms.
Features
Spicy foods can have a thermic effect on the body after consumption, according to the Better Health Channel. This causes your basal metabolic rate to rise and burn calories at a higher rate. Your BMR peaks after eating to help your body digest and metabolize the food you consume. Examples of food that can cause your BMR to rise include chili peppers, horseradish and mustard.
Effects
The consumption of chili may reduce the amount of insulin in the body after eating. According to a July 2006 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," researchers found that the insulin levels of subjects who were given 30 g of cayenne chili powder as a supplement to their diet were significantly lower after meals than the control group who followed a bland diet.
Types
Capsaicin is found in several types of chili peppers and is what gives peppers their spicy taste. Capsaicin is found in varieties such as jalapeno peppers, hot peppers and chipotle peppers. During a 2003 study in the "British Journal of Nutrition," Maastricht University researchers found that capsaicin increased the level of fat oxidation in human subjects. During the study, participants were given 135 mg of capsaicin per day as a supplement to a low-calorie diet.
Considerations
If you wish to speed up your metabolism, you may want to consider adding some spicy dishes to your daily meals that include chilies and chili powders. Additional ways to speed up the metabolism include regular sessions of cardio and strength-training exercise. To lose weight, you should not rely on spicy food alone. Follow a calorie-controlled diet made up of plenty of veggies, fruit, whole grains and lean proteins.
References
- Better Health Channel: Metabolism Explained
- "British Journal of Nutrition"; Effect of capsaicin on substrate oxidation and weight maintenance after modest body-weight loss in human subjects; MP Lejeune, et al; September 2003
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Effects of chili consumption on postprandial glucose, insulin, and energy metabolism; Kiran DK Ahuja, et al; July 2006
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