10 Ways You Can Boost Your Metabolism Plus 10 Metabolism-Boosting Foods

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Metabolism is the process by which the body creates energy from the food we eat. The sugars found in food are broken down into usable glucose, which is the “food” of the body’s cells. Glucose is converted into a substance called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which the cell uses as energy. While weight gain isn’t caused by slow metabolism alone, metabolism does play a large role in a concept known as “age-related onset of obesity”. ^[1]

Your body’s metabolism is a very fickle thing. There are a variety of external factors that contribute to it speeding up or slowing down – but metabolism is certainly affected by age: It is a known fact that with increasing age comes slowing metabolism. High-calorie food items like fast-food fries and chips, that appear to be eaten by some teenagers without noticeable weight gain, can cause much greater weight gain to people in their late twenties or older – simply because of significantly slower metabolism.

Age-related onset of obesity has been the focus of many studies on metabolism in recent years. In 2015, a study was published by Wee, Y., et. al. on the effects of age on the body’s metabolism, specifically how age causes metabolic dysregulation. The results revealed that neurological decline over time could disturb the body’s normal metabolic process, leading to obesity. Inflammation in brain tissue and alteration of genes (seen in aging) are cited as the specific events involved in neurological dysfunction. ^[2]

Here are 10 ways you can boost your metabolism and help avoid undue weight gain:

1. Drink Green Tea And Coffee

Green tea is not only loaded with antioxidants that help get rid of circulating free radicals which damage the body’s tissues, it also boosts the body’s metabolism that help with natural weight loss. An old study published in 1999 found that green tea was able to boost the body’s metabolic rate by 4 percent through fat oxidation and thermogenesis. This study became the basis of many studies on green tea and metabolism: For example, Cardoso, et. al. in 2013 found that green tea intake accompanied by exercise caused an increase in resting metabolic rate, lean body mass, and muscle strength, plus a significant decrease in body fat, waist circumference, and serum cholesterol. ^[3][4]

On the other hand, caffeine has also been found to increase metabolic rate and cause weight loss in a 2015 study by Liu, et. al.. The study focused on caffeine intake (with albuterol) with the results revealing a significant increase in lean body mass and decrease in fat mass after four to eight weeks – all without changes in food intake. ^[5]

2. Regular Aerobic Exercise

The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week (cut that time in half for vigorous exercise) to promote cardiovascular health. A recent study by Gim and Choi (published in 2016) found that regular exercise increased resting metabolic rate in adults, with increases in individual exercise leading to parallel increases in metabolic rate – and eventual loss (or maintenance) of weight. ^[6][7]

3. Eat Enough

Yes, you did read that correctly. When people hear the words “weight loss”, it often brings up images of crash dieting – a short-term effective but very unhealthy way to lose weight. Crash dieting involves starvation of the body’s cells because your body’s metabolic rate remains the same as you deprive it of needed glucose (and therefore energy) to function. So your body literally starts “eating” itself – metabolizing fat and eventually protein stores in muscles.

However – this eventually slows your metabolic rate, which would actually make it harder to lose weight in the long run. Instead of depriving your body of food which often leads to binge eating, make sure to stick to your normal daily caloric intake (which is based on your age, weight, and physical activity) and get enough fruits and vegetables in your diet. ^[8]

4. Pack More Proteins

Instead of adding carbohydrates and fat through your diet, opt for more protein instead! Protein from eggs, lean meat, and milk can boost your resting metabolic rate according to a study by Matinolli, et. al. published in 2015. Although the study’s test subjects focused on neonates, the results concluded that additional protein intake was able to promote health body composition and higher metabolic rates in adulthood. ^[9]

5. Spice Up Your Meal

This is interesting: Did you know that spiced food has effects on your body’s metabolism? It all has to do with a process called thermogenesis, literally meaning “creation of heat”. This process plays a big role in metabolism, since heat is a form of energy. A study in 2006 on spices and metabolism found that capsaicin, black pepper, ginger, and mixed spices (among others) caused increases in the body’s metabolic rate that may help battle obesity. ^[10]

6. Pump Up Your Muscles

The second item on this list is directly linked with this one – more lean muscles equal better metabolism and increases in weight loss. A study published by Steinberg, et. al. in the American Journal of Physiology found that muscles in obese people promoted higher uptake (storage) of fatty acids compared to lean muscles. Lean muscles, on the other hand, had better rates of metabolism and oxidation – leading to more efficient weight loss. ^[11]

7. Get Enough Sleep

When you sleep, the body basically “resets” itself. It is a period where the body regulates its normal processes – and that includes metabolism. A 2010 study found that sleep deprivation causes metabolic dysregulation by affecting glucose metabolism and hormones responsible for it (specifically leptin and ghrelin). So in order to improve your energy throughout the day and your metabolism, be sure to get enough sleep. ^[12]

8. Drink Iced Water After Waking Up

Water has a lot of health benefits – better hydration and digestion, as well as maintaining body homeostasis. While there is no hard evidence to support that concept that water intake immediately after waking up affects metabolism, a lot of people swear by it. This is rooted in the idea that drinking water after you wake up somehow “boosts” your body’s metabolism and also affects your appetite early in the morning by filling the stomach (meaning you eat less = weight loss). There are no negative effects to water intake upon waking up so it wouldn’t hurt. You’re better hydrated either way.

9. Snack Smart

People affected by diabetes have problems with insulin and glucose metabolism – which is why they are advised SFF – or small, frequent feedings. This helps keep your metabolism going – provided that you snack smart! Don’t snack on junk food, opt for fresh fruits and vegetables instead. In 2015, a study by Alencar, et. al. found that increased meal frequency was able to preserve fat-free mass in terms of body composition, although there were no significant changes in metabolism. ^[13]

10. Drink Two To Three Liters Of Water Per Day

Despite a lack of scientific research on water intake immediately after waking up, there have been several studies on water intake in general and the body’s metabolic rate. Boschmann, et. al. in 2003 found that drinking an additional 500 milliliters of water caused increases in metabolic rate by as much as 30 percent – and that this increase happened within ten to 40 minutes after intake. The study concluded that drinking two liters of water per day could add 400 kilojoules of energy expenditure to the body’s metabolic rate and promote natural weight loss. ^[14]

10 Foods To Boost Metabolism

The following food items could potentially help boost your metabolism, so find ways to include several in your daily meals for an added boost.

1. Grapefruit

Grapefruit is great as a juice in the morning or as a fresh fruit snack. A study found that naringenin, a citrus flavonoid found in grapefruit, was able to regulate the body’s metabolism of glucose – helping prevent diabetes and weight gain. ^[15]

2. Steamed Broccoli

The perfect side dish to any meal, or add it to your green juice in the morning! Research done by the Institute of Food Research found that broccoli is able to regulate or “retune” the body’s metabolism (helping with weight loss) – which is dysregulated as we age. ^[16]

3. Almonds

Almonds are another healthy snack option; interestingly, they appear to be better than other nut snacks that increase your body’s cholesterol intake. A study found that almonds were able to contribute to better lipid metabolism and reduction in anthropometric measurements in test subjects. ^[17]

4. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a great source of fiber which promotes healthy digestion and excretion of waste – this alone can cause improvements in weight loss and nutrient absorption. Because of its low glycemic index of 55, it also helps regulate your body’s ability to metabolize glucose. ^[18]

5. Kale

Kale is considered one of the healthiest food items today because it has low caloric content while packing an amazing amount of vitamins and minerals. The low caloric content helps with weight loss and the nutrients help regulate metabolism – especially vitamin C. A study in 2005 has found that vitamin C plays a role in fat mass loss and metabolism. ^[19]

6. Ginger

Ginger is one of the spices included in the study on spices and metabolism. ^[10] You can add ginger to your fruit juice for an extra kick or in a stir-fry of vegetables and lean meat. You can even try ginger tea in the morning or afternoon for added metabolism boost before breakfast and dinner.

7. Salmon And Tuna

Salmon and tuna are great sources of lean protein to lower your caloric intake (and to help improve your metabolism!) Salmon and tuna are popularly used in salads or even as main dishes for lunch or dinner. A tuna sandwich is a great snack alternative to ham as well.

8. Garlic

Garlic is a spice that can help with thermogenesis and metabolism. You can add roasted garlic to pasta or lean meats like seared salmon or beef. A stir-fry with garlic would be a great way to add it to your diet.

9. Low-fat Yogurt

Yogurt is yet another low calorie, high protein snack alternative. This is an excellent breakfast food – you can even mix in some grains or fruits for more benefits.

10. Lean Protein

As previously mentioned, adding protein to your diet can help boost metabolism significantly. Get your daily dose of protein from lean meat like chicken breast and lean cuts of beef.