Guest post by Eva Estetika Khusuma
To achieve a successful weight loss, of course a proper diet and workout plan need to take place. It is not rocket science. Everybody responds to certain diets or workout plans differently. However, there are things you could do to trick your body so it responds at the optimum level. One of the tricks is to use foods which are known for their really great impact in increasing your metabolism. Meaning, these can help you burn more calories. Read on to find out more about these weight loss foods!
Lemon
There are tons of ways your body can benefit from lemon. Not only it can be used to enhance flavor in your salad, or to clean your kitchen, but it can be used to treat cold, constipation, acne, and more. Lemon is packed with vitamin C and antioxidants. It is also known for accelerating weight loss.
Drinking lemon water will keep you hydrated and reduce water retention. That means, it will help reduce bloating and puffiness – which usually happens after you eat too much salty food. Secondly, squeezing lemon into your water will give you a fresh citrusy flavor, and flavored water is definitely a healthier option than soda, fruit juices, and many other unhealthy, sugary drinks. Lemons contain very few calories. According to Healthline, if you squeeze a half lemon into a cup of water, that beverage will contain only six calories. Also, studies have shown that drinking lemon water can potentially help increase your metabolism. Researchers suggest that good hydration promotes the function of mitochondria, a type of organelle found in cells that helps generate energy for the body. This leads to an increase in metabolism, which will lead to subsequent weight loss.
Turmeric
Turmeric has been known as “the golden spice” in Asia for ages. It is considered a superfood for a reason. It has tons of health benefits – it’s even being used as a medicine in traditional Indian Ayurveda treatments. Turmeric plays a role in weight loss because of its chemical content called curcumin.
According to Healthline, studies suggest that curcumin may suppress particular inflammatory markers that play a role in obesity. These markers are typically elevated in people with excess weight. Animal studies indicate that curcumin may promote weight loss by reducing fat tissue growth, curbing weight regain, and enhancing sensitivity to the hormone insulin. A 30-day study in 44 people who were previously unable to lose weight found that supplementing twice a day with 800 mg of curcumin led to reductions in body weight, body mass index, and hip and waist circumference.
Coffee and tea
If you are a coffee or tea lover, this is good news for you! Coffee and tea are not only good in boosting your morning productivity and helping you with constipation – they also play an important role when it comes to weight loss. Studies have shown that the caffeine found in coffee can help increase metabolic rate by up to 11%. In six different studies, they found that people who consume at least 270 mg of caffeine daily, or the equivalent of about three cups of coffee, burn an extra 100 calories per day.
While in tea, not only the caffeine, but there is also a compound called ECGC that helps your body burn fat easily. A study in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise shows that three cups of tea daily may increase your metabolism and burn 30 calories. A little tip: drink a cup of black coffee before your workout session, it will boost your energy and stamina to another level.
Yogurt
Yogurt is not only yummy, but also really good for your body – it can help you burn fat and promote weight loss. A cup of yogurt contains a combination of carbs and protein to help stabilize insulin, a hormone that tells your body to store calories as fat when levels get too high.
According to WebMD, obese adults who ate three servings of fat-free yogurt a day as part of a reduced-calorie diet lost 22% more weight and 61% more body fat than those who simply cut calories and didn’t consume more calcium. Yogurt eaters also lost 81% more fat in the stomach area than non-yogurt eaters. Not only that, yogurt also encourages the growth of good bacteria in your gut.
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate contains beneficial compounds like polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins which can give you a lot of health benefits. These include improved heart health, decreased inflammation, and enhanced brain function. Just as the ones mentioned above, it is considered to be a superfood. When it comes to weight loss, dark chocolate may play a role.
Dark chocolate can help reduce cravings and promote feelings of fullness, which may help support weight loss. It can also boost your mood and prevent depression. Furthermore, some studies suggest that dark chocolate could help improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin. This can help lower levels of insulin in the blood, which may be connected to increased weight loss and reduced fat storage.
There you have it, the five types of food that can help accelerate weight loss! As mentioned, you should prioritize having the right diet and workout plan beforehand. Use this information to boost what you already have. Also, please be cautious and consult with your doctor if you have prior conditions that might make your body respond negatively to the foods above.