7 Foods That Speed up Metabolism

Foods that accelerate the metabolism and help detoxify the body are mainly those rich in caffeine such as coffee and green tea, or condiments such as cinnamon and red chili, because they are rich in substances such as catechins and capsaicins that help To stimulate the metabolism.

When these foods are combined with healthy eating and frequent physical activity, they promote weight loss and help improve the functioning of the body. It is also important to remember that it is ideal for these foods to be prescribed by a nutritionist, because their excess consumption can cause problems such as insomnia or could raise blood pressure.

Here are some of the foods that help speed up metabolism:

1. Red Chili

Red or jalapeno pepper is rich in capsaicin, a substance that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found in hot peppers. This chemical compound helps relieve pain, prevent cancer, accelerate metabolism and decrease inflammatory processes.

About 3 g of chili should be consumed per day, the more spicy the greater the amount of capsaicin it contains, however, its exaggerated consumption can cause burning in the mouth and stomach.

2. Green Tea

Green tea is rich in flavonoids, catechins and caffeine, substances that help increase metabolism and promote fat burning, as long as it is accompanied by a balanced diet and the practice of physical activity. In addition to this, it has a diuretic effect, which helps eliminate fluid retention. 

To obtain its results, you should consume 4 cups of tea per day, avoiding consuming it in conjunction with the main meals, because it can hinder the absorption of some minerals from the diet such as iron, zinc and calcium.

3. Cinnamon

Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer and thermogenic properties that helps improve digestion, control diabetes and high cholesterol, because it helps regulate blood sugar levels and increase good HDL cholesterol.

This seasoning can be consumed in the form of tea or 1 teaspoon can be added to fruit salads, juices, milkshakes, coffee and milk.

4. Ginger

By containing the 6-gingerol and 8-gingerol compounds, ginger increases heat and sweat production, which helps to burn the accumulated fat favoring weight loss and preventing weight gain. It also helps lower lipid levels and maintain blood sugar levels.

In addition to this, it improves digestion and fights intestinal gases, being able to be consumed in the form of tea or by adding it in juices, shakes and salads.

5. Guarana

Guarana helps increase metabolism because it contains caffeine and is a fruit rich in antioxidants. To lose weight should be consumed preferably along with juices or teas that also help in weight loss, such as ginger tea and green juices.

The recommended amount is 1 to 2 teaspoons of guarana powder per day, avoiding consumption during the night, to avoid insomnia problems.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps in weight loss because it improves digestion, increases satiety, fights fluid retention and is rich in antioxidants that improve the functioning of the body.

To help with the diet, you should consume 1 to 2 teaspoons of vinegar diluted in a glass of water per day, or use it to season meats and salads.

7. Coffee

Because it is rich in caffeine, coffee speeds up the metabolism and can be consumed throughout the day at breakfast or in snacks. The recommended amount is a maximum of 4 cups of 150 mL per day, remembering that consumption should be avoided in cases of gastritis, high blood pressure or insomnia.

What is the metabolism?

The metabolism corresponds to the set of biochemical processes that occur in the body that controls the synthesis and degradation of substances in the body, allowing vital functions such as respiration, body temperature regulation and energy production to occur.

The metabolism is regulated by various enzymes and can be classified into two phases:

• Anabolism , which corresponds to biochemical synthesis reactions, that is, allows the production of more complex molecules such as proteins, for example, from simpler molecules, such as amino acids;

• Catabolism , which corresponds to biochemical degradation reactions, that is, allows the production of simpler molecules from more complex ones, such as water and energy (ATP) from glucose.

For the organism to be in homeostasis, it is necessary that anabolism and catabolism are also in balance. When anabolism predominates over catabolism, greater muscle mass gain occurs. When the opposite occurs, the body loses muscle mass and this situation occurs during periods of fasting.

The basal metabolism corresponds to the metabolism of the person when he is fasting, that is, they are the calories that the body needs to maintain its vital functions for 24 hours, without any damage to the body. Usually, it is from the evaluation of the basal metabolism, habits and objectives of the person that the nutritionist manages to prescribe the most appropriate diet for each situation.