Natural Foods to Speed Up Your Metabolism
The metabolism is the process and rate at which the body breaks down food or chemical compounds, absorbs the nutrients and eliminates the waste. A healthy digestive system is needed to support the metabolism, and there are many foods and spices that can help to support digestion and the cleansing of waste from the body, as well as boost the metabolic rate.
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Digestive Enzymes
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The body needs digestive enzymes to digest and process food. The enzymes work to assist with digesting protein, carbohydrates, fats and lactose. Raw fruits and vegetables, as well as sprouted grains, contain a high amount of digestive enzymes. Ginger root actually helps the body to produce digestive enzymes on its own, assisting with the digestive process and boosting the metabolism.
Spices
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Cayenne pepper is known to speed up the metabolism as well as cleanse the bowels. Jalapenos contain capsaicin, which speeds your heart rate and metabolism. These spices help your body to continue to burn calories for hours after eating them. Cinnamon helps you to metabolize sugars, and 1/2 tsp. taken daily will help to stabilize your blood sugar levels.
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Fruits and Vegetables
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Fruits such as apples and grapefruit are high in fiber and help you to feel full while your body burns calories. Grapefruit also slows the body's need to store fat by lowering insulin levels. Broccoli is high in calcium, which triggers the metabolism. Spinach is also known to help detoxify the body as it is expelled from the body. These vegetables are also high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Protein
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Protein takes longer to digest than other food and is believed to stabilize blood sugar levels. Protein in the diet gives you energy and vitality, and helps with muscle repair and recovery after exercise. All meat contains protein, but there are choices that are healthier and lower in saturated fat. These include turkey, grilled fish or chicken. Tofu, soybeans and legumes are also high in protein and make a good replacement for meat in salads and other dishes.
Coffee and Tea
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The caffeine in coffee boosts the metabolism, but coffee places pressure on the liver. It is not healthy to drink more than three cups a day. A healthier option is green tea. Green tea also contains caffeine but in a smaller dose. Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate, which is a healthy catechin, an antioxidant. This helps to speed up the brain and the nervous system, which helps the body to burn calories.
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