Burning fat isn't only important for crafting an attractive beach body. Those with high amounts of body fat are at increased risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Cutting calories and maintaining regular physical activity can help you naturally burn off some of your excess fat stores. Additionally, consuming natural foods that are effective in burning fat can augment your fat loss while dieting.
Dairy Products
Low-fat or fat-free dairy products are an excellent addition to a diet plan as they are naturally low calories. Additionally, the calcium and vitamin D interact with your body's fat burning mechanisms, making them more active. In a review published in the April 2004 "Nutrition Reviews," the University of Tennessee's M. Zemel states that studies in humans and animals have found a strong link between fat burning and dairy consumption. Healthy dairy products include kefir, cottage cheese and Greek yogurt.
Green Tea
Green tea is bursting with a special compound known as epigallocatechin gallate. EGCG is the compound responsible for green tea's laundry list of health benefits, like reducing heart disease risk. Consuming green tea naturally stimulates metabolism and fat burning, the University of Maryland Medical Center states. Aim for two to three cups per day for a noticeable fat burning benefit.
Fatty Fish
Exercise like jogging, tennis and strength training is a fantastic way to stay healthy and burn off fat. Consuming omega-3-rich fatty fish can help you burn even more fat during a diet and exercise regimen, the May 2007 "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" reports. In this research study, those that consumed 6 g of fish oil per day reduced more body fat over 12 weeks when compared to those who cut calories and exercised alone. Omega-3-rich fatty fish include sardines, herring, flatfish, trout and albacore tuna.
Chili Pepper
The next time your mouth is on fire after a spicy Thai or Indian entree you may be happy to know that the spice is attacking your body fat. According to a research review published in the July 2006 "AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology," a unique compound in chili peppers known as capsaicin naturally increases your metabolic rate and fat burning machinery quickly after consumption.
References
- "Nutrition Reviews"; Dietary Calcium and Dairy Modulation of Adiposity and Obesity Risk; M Zemel et al.; April 2004
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Combining Fish-Oil Supplements with Regular Aerobic Exercise Improves Body Composition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors; A Hill et al.; May 2007
- "Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology": Obesity and Thermogenesis Related to the Consumption of Caffeine, Ephedrine, Capsaicin, and Green Tea; Kristel Diepvens et al.; January 2007
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