Did you know certain foods contain nutrients that increase the body’s metabolism?

A healthy metabolism is essential for overall, general health.

When we have a healthy metabolism, it means that our bodies tend to work harder, faster and more efficiently.

Having a good metabolism can aid the body in many ways, and adding a few key foods to your diet could help boost your own metabolic rate.

What is metabolism?

Your metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories and carries out other processes.

Boosting metabolic rate can also help some people shed excess weight and reduce their risk of obesity and other heart-related health issues.

Lean meat and fish

Foods high in protein may well be the most efficient for boosting metabolism.

Lean meats, most fish and seafood, eggs and other protein-rich foods may increase the metabolic rate because the body needs to use more energy to digest them, than it does for fats or carbohydrates.

Scientists call this energy expenditure the thermic effect of food (TEF), or diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT).

According to a recent study, people who consumed 29% of their total daily calories as protein had a higher metabolic rate than those who consumed 11% of total calories from protein.

Ginger

Adding ginger to meals could increase body temperature and metabolic rate, and help control your appetite.

Studies carried out in the USA evaluated the effect ginger had on weight loss and metabolic profiles in people who were already overweight.

It discovered the spice may help to reduce body weight and fasting glucose levels while increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol.

Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties, and comes in many delicious products today.

We love these handy ginger shots from Barakat, as well as the tang of this ginger kombucha by local brand SABA.

Kombucha is a fermented tea that is made by adding various strains of bacteria, yeast and sugar to black or green tea, which is then allowed to ferment for a week or more.

One of the by-products of the fermentation process is acetic acid, which has been shown to slow the growth of harmful bacteria and yeasts.

Kombucha made with green tea and ginger is thought to contain antioxidants that help the body to fight free radicals that cause cell damage.

Vitamins C, B1 and B12 are also present in this fizzy beverage.

Beans and legumes

Lentils are another functional food that could reduce the effects of having a high metabolic rate.

Beans, peas, lentils and other legumes may increase metabolism because they are rich in protein, but they also contain good amounts of fibre to feed beneficial bacteria in the gut.

The bigger picture

While certain foods may help slightly increase your metabolic rate, or how many calories you burn, it's also important to remember to pair this with a healthy diet overall.

Consuming metabolism-boosting foods regularly may help you lose weight and keep it off in the long term, however, these foods will not negate a high calorie or poor quality diet.

For effective, lasting weight loss and weight loss maintenance, choose whole foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, limit the amount of sugar, fat and processed foods.