How To Keep Your Metabolism Going All Day

Metabolic rate describes the amount of energy your body uses every day. The higher your metabolism is, the more calories your body burns. Physical activity increases your energy usage, but you can also boost your metabolism with certain foods and drinks. Although, you can improve your calorie burn with these compounds, they should be used in combination with regular exercise and a healthy diet for optimal results.

Step 1

Eat spicy foods that contain red peppers, such as chili, cayenne, habanero or jalapeno, or black pepper. The capsaicins and, less pungent, capsinoids in red peppers help boost your metabolism. According to a study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2009, a daily consumption of capsinoids decreased abdominal fat and improved fat burning rate. The piperine in black pepper has similar effects and helps speed up your metabolism, according to Dr Mehmet Oz, the host of "The Dr. Oz Show."

Step 2

Drink oolong tea every two hours. The catechins in oolong tea help boost your lipid metabolism, promote weight loss and fat burning, according to a study published in the "Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine" in 2009. A cup of oolong tea can increase your metabolism for two hours, according to Dr Oz.

Step 3

Consume green tea throughout the day. Green tea contains both caffeine and catechins that can increase your metabolism. An article published in the "Physiology and Behavior" in 2010 reports that green tea improves metabolism by increasing thermogenesis and fat oxidation. Caffeine containing drinks, such as coffee and cola, can also have similar effects.

Step 4

Boost your metabolism with ice cold water. When you drink ice water, your body burns calories in order to warm the water. Dr. Oz says that eight glasses of ice water will burn an extra 70 calories per day.

Step 5

Be active and strengthen your muscles. Physical activity is the best way to increase your metabolism. However, you do not need to do hours of exercising to boost your energy burn. Simple things, such as standing instead of sitting, doing isometric muscle contractions while working, and using the stairs instead of the elevator, will increase your muscle work load and boost your metabolism. In addition, the more muscle mass you have, the higher your metabolic rate is, even at rest.