Contrary to popular belief, increasing your metabolism does not require pills that can be both dangerous and costly. Many common household beverages like coffee and tea contain natural metabolic enhancers that can act to curb your appetite as well. Though these options are safe and natural, as with beginning any new diet or supplement regimen, you should consult your physician first.
Coffee
In addition to the stimulant properties of the caffeine in coffee, research by Prevention Magazine has shown that just enjoying the aromatic smell of coffee can provide a pick-me-up if you feel that you are lagging. The caffeine in traditional coffee acts to stimulate the nervous system, raising your metabolism five to eight percent on a daily basis. That equals anywhere from around 100 to 175 or more additional calories burned per day.
Black Tea
Black teas, like coffee, also contain the stimulant, caffeine. This type of tea; however, contains the antioxidant catechin, which provides a metabolic boost of up to 12 percent on a daily basis. William Rumpler, who is currently conducting research for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, notes that when you drink tea you turn on the "fat-burning spigot" slightly more than if you were simply drinking caffeinated water or coffee. Research is still being conducted to determine the additional effects of tea on metabolism and overall health.
Green Tea
Green tea supersedes both coffee and traditional black teas in its metabolism surging powers, because it contains the powerful antioxidant, epigallocatechin gallate, or ECGC. The University of Chicago's Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research found that non-human subjects who consumed ECGC lost up to 21 percent of their total body weight and ate significantly less, revealing green tea's dual function as both metabolic enhancer and appetite suppressor. Though not proven yet, some suggestions have been made concerning ECGC's effect as a carbohydrate blocker, allowing some carbohydrates to pass through the body without being digested -- an added benefit to this beverage.
Honey and Lemon Water
Water alone can help to curb your appetite and keep you from mistaking thirst for hunger. Drinking water throughout the day will help flush metabolism slowing toxins from your body while keeping you hydrated and alert. Adding one to two tablespoons of honey to your water can give you the added bonus of extended energy release without crash. In addition to its natural diuretic properties, research has shown that the vitamin-C in a lemon can produce a chain of chemical reactions that lead to the body's systematic use of excess body fat for energy, according to Dr. Carol Johnston of the "Journal of Biochemical Nutrition." So, incorporating lemon into the mix makes for a sweet and tart natural metabolism booster.
References
- "Health and Weight-Loss Breakthroughs"; Prevention Magazine Health Editors; 2009
- Dr. Ronald Hoffman: EGCG - potent extract of green tea
- USDA: Brewing Up The Latest Research
- "Experience with Honey in Athletic Nutrition"; American Bee Journal; Lloyd Percival;1985
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Strategies for Healthy Weight Loss: From Vitamin C to the Glycemic Response; Carol S. Johnston, Ph.D., FACN; 2005
Member Comments