Herbs and spices give metabolism a good kick

Fight those extra pounds by ditching “carbage” which is a fabulous trendy word meaning ‘carbohydrate garbage’. It refers to all the high starch foods such as the main five whites – white rice, pasta, bread, potatoes, sugar and we’ll even throw salt into the mix! By eliminating these low nutritional foods from your diet and incorporating blood sugar-stabilizing spices at every meal your energy will soar while the needle on the scales will head in an anti-clockwise direction. We love that!

Once you’ve said goodbye to the white culprits you can then say hello to this gorgeous colored, spicy and tasty lot:

Cayenne pepper – this certainly brings some heat with it to meals and it can also melt away fat and suppress appetite. Capsaicin, the compound that gives peppers their heat, may help fight obesity by decreasing calorie intake, shrinking fat tissue, and lowering blood fat levels, as well as fight fat buildup by triggering beneficial protein changes in your body. Part of the benefit may be due to capsaicin’s heat potential, as it is a thermogenic substance that may temporarily increase thermogenesis in your body, where your body burns fuel such as fat to create heat, with beneficial impacts on metabolism and fat storage.

Turmeric – Turmeric is the gorgeous yellow-orange spice that forms the foundation of many curry dishes. Curcumin is an active ingredient of turmeric and it’s also the most thoroughly studied. It reduces the formation of fat tissue by suppressing the blood vessels needed to form it, and therefore may be a contributing factor for lower body fat and body weight gain. Studies have shown that turmeric increases the flow of bile in the stomach which helps to break down fat. Another way turmeric aids in weight loss is it helps fight insulin resistance and controls sugar levels. This not only keeps you from retaining extra fat but lowers your chances of developing diabetes. If you already have diabetes; it helps you control your glucose numbers.

Research has also shown that curcumin improves insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and other inflammatory symptoms associated with obesity and metabolic disorders. It just takes one teaspoon of turmeric before each meal to help your digestion break down the fat that can cause you to gain weight.

Cinnamon – reduces blood sugar and LDL cholesterol. This is the bad cholesterol of the two. High LDL levels put you at greater risk for a heart attack from a sudden blood clot in an artery narrowed by atherosclerosis. Studies show that cinnamon can boost metabolism and increase insulin levels, lowering the chance of pre-diabetes. So add a teaspoon of cinnamon and throw in a clove in your next coffee!

Piperine – This common household condiment is better known as pepper and can boost metabolism through its main component, piperine. Not only does black pepper improve digestion, it also helps burn fat at a faster rate. In fact, black pepper can use up the same amount of calories that you would burn on a 20-minute walk. Grind away!

Dandelion – Dandelions cleanse the body and slow digestion, making you feel full longer. Dandelions also rank in the top four vegetables for nutritional value, according to the USDA. Spruce up your salad with some flower power.

Mustard – Who knew mustard is actually a great weight-loss tool?

Apparently, a spread of this tasty stuff can assist in your weight loss goals as it can boost your metabolism, which makes you burn fat faster. Since mustard has zero carbs and zero fat content, making it part of your diet can go a long way in promoting weight loss.

Ginger – Studies show that ginger can suppress appetite, aid digestion, remove toxins and raise the temperature of the body to boost metabolism. Who knew it had so many powers?

Panax Ginseng – This root-like looking herb gives spark to your metabolism, helping you get rid of the fat accumulated in the problematic and burning calories faster. You may have them as pills or even put extracts in your tea, making it into a good weight loss herbal tea.

Cardamom – It is one of the most flavorful Indian spices commonly added to many desserts and spicy foods. It has the ability to boost your digestive system that prevents the formation of gas that bloats up your stomach instantly.

Garlic – This herb comes with magical healing properties, which helps in treating cardiovascular conditions, improves your immune system and curing a common cold to even fighting fatal cancer. Garlic contains a special compound called allicin that suppresses hunger pangs and boosts metabolism. It can keep vampires away and fat too!

Guggul – (Commiphora mukul) – This is a popular herb used in Ayurveda. Guggul is frequently recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners for weight control, in addition, to use in lowering cholesterol.

All of the above spices and herbs for weight loss mentioned are widely used in our kitchens, but when we are unaware of their amazing abilities we can overlook using them as much as we could. I mean how about whipping up a turmeric salad dressing or a ginseng and ginger tea? Dieting doesn’t have to be bland and by incorporating these super amazing spices into your recipes, no meal you make ever be labelled that.

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