Tropical Weight Loss
Photo by Thirdman Pexels Logo Photo: Thirdman

What is the biggest metabolism booster?

1. Strength Training. Since pumping iron increases your calorie burn long after you stop working out, it's by far the best thing you can do for your metabolism, says Kaufman.

womenshealthmag.com - 10 Metabolism Boosters, Ranked According to Effectiveness
What is the fastest way to shred belly fat?
What is the fastest way to shred belly fat?

19 Effective Tips to Lose Belly Fat (Backed by Science) Eat plenty of soluble fiber. ... Avoid foods that contain trans fats. ... Don't drink too...

Read More »
Last updated Sep 12, 2019
What is the best early morning drink for weight loss?
What is the best early morning drink for weight loss?

Here are some of best morning drinks for weight loss: Lemon and Honey Tea. Lemon and honey tea is a great morning drink to lose weight. ... Amla...

Read More »
Last updated Mar 6, 2019

Media Platforms Design Team

When you're struggling to drop pounds, you might consider trying just about anything to torch extra calories. And while there are a few clutch ways to speed up your fat and calorie burn, some are definitely better than others. To find out which metabolism-boosting methods are a slam-dunk and which ones are totally skippable, we asked experts to rank all the strategies that supposedly make your fat cells cry. Behold. (Looking for a program that will help you get a flat tummy—and keep it that way? With the Lose Belly Fat—For Good routines, you can see results in as little as two weeks.)

More From Women's Health

10. Vitamin B12

Media Platforms Design Team

Odds are you’ve heard a celeb or fitness nut tout the metabolism and energy-boosting benefits of B12, either through a quickie injection or pill. But the only people getting an extra dose of energy are those with a true B12 deficiency (diagnosed through a blood test), and there’s no hard evidence that B12 has the power to rev up your metabolism, says NYC-based dietitian Karen Ansel, R.D. Since your body eliminates excess B12, supplementing what you don’t need in the first place is a waste of cash.

9. Eating Breakfast

Media Platforms Design Team

This is a healthy habit we stand by (hey, no need for hanger at 10 a.m. meetings), but research has shown that there’s no difference in the metabolic rates between those who eat breakfast every day and those who fast until noon. Though some research shows that breakfast eaters tend to be slimmer and healthier, the study authors say it’s probably because they’re more likely to follow other wellness recommendations like exercising and eating right.

Media Platforms Design Team

8. Small, Frequent Meals

Media Platforms Design Team

Despite the number of times you’ve heard that grazing is key to a fast-churning metabolism, there’s little scientific proof that it works. For example, one U.K. study compared the number of calories burned in those who ate two meals a day with those who ate five and found no difference between the groups. That said, healthy snacks are never a bad idea, since they can stabilize your blood sugar levels, keep your energy up, and prevent gorging at mealtime.

7. Chili Peppers

Media Platforms Design Team

They won’t do much sitting on top of a cheesy pizza, however studies show that chili peppers have some fat-burning potential, thanks to an antioxidant called capsaicin, says Ansel. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that chili peppers could boost your resting metabolic rate by about 50 calories a day. Though that's not a significant increase, it's definitely a worthy excuse for indulging in spicy grub.

6. Green Tea

Which meat is best for testosterone?
Which meat is best for testosterone?

However, the correct cuts of lean, red meats can help boost testosterone levels in men. Meats like ground beef and chuck roast are a great source...

Read More »
Last updated Aug 10, 2022
What should I drink if water isn't hydrating?
What should I drink if water isn't hydrating?

Skim milk came in first followed by "oral rehydration" drinks like Pedialyte. Next came full-fat milk, orange juice, soda, diet soda, cold tea,...

Read More »
Last updated Mar 22, 2019

Media Platforms Design Team

Another reason to go green: Compounds called catechins in green tea could help you burn more calories and fat, says Ansel. One Japanese study found that two to four daily cups could boost your metabolism by four percent for a few hours after consuming the brew. So, again, you’re looking at burning up to an extra 50 calories a day, but the biggest weight-loss benefit of green tea is that it can help you stay full for longer after a meal, says Ansel. And despite recent reports of green-tea related illness, as long as you buy your tea bags stateside, you shouldn't face any nasty complications.

5. Dairy

Media Platforms Design Team

Bring on the milk and cheese: Women who loaded up on dairy three to four times a day lost 70 percent more body fat than those who skipped dairy, according to a study published in the American Society for Nutritional Sciences' Journal of Nutrition. But how does this work exactly? Dairy, which is full of calcium and fat-burners like amino-acid leucine, helps maintain lean muscle mass, which boosts their metabolism, says Ansel.

4. Caffeine

Media Platforms Design Team

Have you thanked your barista today? Studies show that a cup of coffee in the morning can give your metabolism a serious kick in the pants, says NYC-based dietician Leah Kaufman, R.D. That's because caffeine raises your heart rate and puts your body on high alert, so your metabolism starts burning calories to meet those energy demands. Cool, huh? And sipping on any source of caffeine an hour before your workout has been shown to help you burn about 15 percent more calories post-sweat session than you would otherwise, according to research published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. Though that's most likely due to an increase in your respiratory rate rather than a boost to your metabolism.

3. Protein

Media Platforms Design Team

It looks like those veiny dudes in muscle tees were on to something. Foods high in protein and low in fat, like skinless chicken breast or fish, take far more energy to digest than carbs or fat, says Ansel. So you end up burning more energy while digesting. To utilize this calorie-torching nutrient, aim to get .5 to 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight (that’s about 70 to 140 grams a day for a 140-pound woman.) Bonus: High-protein foods also contain amino acids that lean muscle—the ultimate metabolism booster—needs to grow, plus they keep you full and satisfied, says Ansel.

2. Sleep

Why do people lose weight on naltrexone?
Why do people lose weight on naltrexone?

Regulate appetite: Naltrexone can assist in normalizing a person's metabolism, and matching appetite to resting energy spending. Reduce insulin...

Read More »
Last updated Jun 27, 2022
Does drinking water help weight loss?
Does drinking water help weight loss?

Water can be really helpful for weight loss. It is 100% calorie-free, helps you burn more calories and may even suppress your appetite if consumed...

Read More »
Last updated May 21, 2018

Media Platforms Design Team

Just one night of bad sleep can slow down your metabolism the next morning, reducing the energy you expend for tasks like breathing or digestion by up to 20 percent, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. On top of that, disturbed shuteye can seriously throw off hunger hormones leptin and ghrelin, which means you'll be hankering for that junk food you know and love. Besides getting enough sleep, dozing off in a chilly room might help you bump up your calorie burn even more. A study published in the journal Diabetes found that those sleeping in a 66-degree room burned seven percent more calories, or 100 more calories within 24 hours, than those sleeping in a 75-degree room. The study authors believe that this is caused by the participants' bodies burning extra energy to raise their core temp back up to 98.6 degrees.

1. Strength Training

Media Platforms Design Team

Since pumping iron increases your calorie burn long after you stop working out, it's by far the best thing you can do for your metabolism, says Kaufman. Here's how it works: When you push your muscles to the max, they have to work harder to rebuild, which burns more calories. But that doesn't mean those three-pound dumbbells are going to cut it. According to a study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine, those who participated in high-intensity resistance training using heavy weights during short intervals increased their metabolic burn by 452 calories (!) over the next 24 hours. While those who did a traditional, low-intensity program (with higher reps and lower weights) burned only 98 additional calories over the course of the day. It's official: Beast mode can help you get your burn on.

womenshealthmag.com - 10 Metabolism Boosters, Ranked According to Effectiveness
Why am I gaining weight even though I barely eat?
Why am I gaining weight even though I barely eat?

Unintentional weight gain occurs when you put on weight without increasing your consumption of food or liquid and without decreasing your activity....

Read More »
Last updated Aug 24, 2022
Why do I keep eating even if I'm full?
Why do I keep eating even if I'm full?

New research from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center suggests that ghrelin, the hormone that your body secretes when you are...

Read More »
Last updated Jul 4, 2022
How long does it take for turmeric to work?
How long does it take for turmeric to work?

around 4-8 weeks So, how long does it take turmeric to work? Depending on your body mass and condition, it will usually take around 4-8 weeks for...

Read More »
Last updated May 20, 2018
Does sweating burn belly fat?
Does sweating burn belly fat?

While sweating doesn't burn fat, the internal cooling process is a sign that you're burning calories. “The main reason we sweat during a workout is...

Read More »
Last updated Aug 18, 2022