Chili To Speed Up The Metabolism

Chili peppers, which contain the active ingredient capsaicin, are used to treat a wide range of health conditions, ranging from arthritis to cancer and weight loss. However, the evidence supporting these uses of chili peppers is not always convincing. While chilis may provide a temporary boost to metabolism, there is no single food you can eat that will magically boost your metabolism and cause you to lose weight, explains the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Chilis and Metabolism

The spicy chemical in chili peppers, capsaicin, causes a small increase in metabolism that is 8 percent greater than other foods, reports an article published on Nov. 28, 2006, in "The New York Times." Other spices, such as ginger and black pepper, can cause smaller bumps in metabolism. However, this effect is only temporary, and is unlikely to permanently affect your metabolism and help you lose weight, researchers at the University of New Mexico explain.

Food and Metabolism

Although chili peppers provide a larger boost, any food you eat will cause a small increase in your metabolism, as your body burns calories to fuel the biochemical reactions involved in breaking down and absorbing food, the Student Nutrition and Body Awareness campaign at the University of California, Los Angeles explains. This "thermic effect" of food, however, accounts for only one-tenth of all the calories your body burns in a day, and is unlikely to play a major role in determining weight.

Factors Affecting Metabolism

Your metabolism is determined by a complex interplay of factors, including your age, weight, genes, body composition and level of physical activity, explain health researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center. While certain people may have genes that result in a slower metabolism, there are steps you can take to increase your metabolism.

Ways in Increase Metabolism

Eating consistent meals and ensuring your body has enough energy to meet its needs is one way you can help keep your metabolism high. If you starve your body, it responds by decreasing its metabolism to conserve energy. Physical activity, both aerobic exercise and strength-training to build or maintain muscle mass, are another way to boost metabolism. Exercise increases your metabolism while you are active, and building muscle increases your basal metabolic rate, explains the Student Nutrition and Body Awareness campaign at the University of California, Los Angeles.