There’s no magic bullet to losing weight. But these five spices not only add flavor to your meals. They help you where you need it most to lose weight…
They break down fat, speed up metabolism, control blood sugar and cravings, reduce inflammation, and increase digestion.
Best of all, they are safe, cheap, and easily accessible. And they make meals delicious.
Your weight-loss spice all-stars…
| Dried herbs and spices are more concentrated then their fresh counterparts. So a little bit goes a long way. Dried herbs and spices can be used at a ratio of 1 to 3 when substituting for fresh. For dishes that have long cooking times, it is best to opt for dried spices. But when possible go fresh, as you will get the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to health properties. |
Black Pepper – This common table spice lowers fat levels in the bloodstream.1 Mice that ate a high-fat, high-sugar diet with black pepper had a decrease in visceral fat. And even better… the more black pepper they ate, the more body weight and visceral fat they lost. Visceral fat is the worst kind. It lies deep within your abdomen and surrounds organs. Too much leads to heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer, and many more unwanted health conditions.
The pepper triggers a metabolic reaction that breaks down fat cells. The active compound in black pepper is called piperine. It’s an alkaloid that gives black pepper its pungent taste. And its fat blocking properties.
Red Pepper – Bring on the fresh salsa… but only if it’s the hot stuff. Adding just a half teaspoon of this spice to foods can help cut 70 calories from meals.2 It can also help decrease cravings for fatty, salty, and sweet foods.
Red pepper contains the compound capsaicin. It’s what gives peppers their “heat.” Capsaicin ups core body temperature, which then helps the body burn calories. Spicy foods can increase metabolism by about 20 percent for 30 minutes.3
You can take red pepper supplements. But researchers at Purdue University discovered that just eating the pepper might the best way to go. In a recent study they added the spice directly to the participants’ meals.
“That burn in your mouth is responsible for that effect,” said study author Richard Mattes. “It turns out you get a more robust effect if you include the sensory part because the burn contributes to a rise in body temperature, energy expenditure, and appetite control.”
Cinnamon – This aromatic spice does more than just sweeten your dishes. It actually revs up your metabolism. It processes carbs quicker due to its ability to stabilize insulin levels. And by doing this it prevents the body from storing extra fat. Research shows that cinnamon can actually mimic insulin.4
“It stimulates insulin receptors on fat cells in the same way that insulin does, allowing excess sugar to move out of the blood and into the cells,” said Dr. Harry Preuss of Georgetown Medical Center.
A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that just three grams of cinnamon increases the levels of a peptide that helps delay the emptying of the stomach.5 And if you have a full stomach you are more likely to eat less.
Mustard Seed – One of the most popular spices traded in the world, mustard seed is a great source of selenium, manganese, and omega-3. All of which help fight inflammation.6 A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition studied nine years of data on over 1,200 people and found chronic inflammation was a culprit to weight gain.7 Inflammation stores extra fat, especially visceral fat. So if you reduce inflammation, you reduce fat.
Mustard seed also packs a bit of heat, adding to its weight-loss properties. One teaspoon of the spice can speed up your metabolic rate by almost 25 percent.8 That can mean burning an extra 45 calories in one sitting.
Ginger – Also an anti-inflammatory, but best known for its gastrointestinal properties, ginger helps speed up the digestive process. It eliminates food and waste, preventing buildup. Researchers at the Institute for Human Nutrition at Columbia University discovered that adding a hot ginger beverage –two grams of ginger powder dissolved in hot water – helped create satiety.9 People felt fuller sooner and ate less later on. Ginger increases core body temperature, which also helps burn calories. A win-win when trying to lose weight.
These spices not only boost your weight loss efforts, they boost the flavor of your meals. There’s no easy fix when it comes to weight loss but these spices will give your metabolism the kick-start it needs. And best of all, no counting calories, no fad diets, and no chalky-tasting weight loss shakes. Just a delicious meal packed with health benefits.
Editor’s Note: These five spices are a great way to rev up your metabolism to shed extra weight. But we’ve uncovered the real reason you can’t keep off those pesky pounds (and how to finally do it!). Discover how to naturally conquer your weight without pills, without side effects, without starving yourself…while eating delicious food—HERE.
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References:
1 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20699591
2 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21093467
3 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14649970
4 http://liveinthenow.com/article/are-cinnamon-supplements-effective-for-weight-loss
5 http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/89/3/815.abstract
6 http://whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=106
7 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18175734
8 http://cnn.com/2011/11/04/health/gallery/weight-loss-spices-herbs
9 researchers at the Institute for Human Nutrition at Columbia University