Many people who struggle to lose weight are victims of a slow metabolism. The metabolism is a set of chemical reactions that control the usage of energy within the human body. It can be likened to a furnace that burns up our food and produces energy. However, those with a slow metabolism suffer from drowsiness, weight gain, and overall lack of energy since their furnace is not running at optimal level.
A slow metabolism can come from diet, lack of exercise, or even genetics. But there are some excellent herbs to boost metabolism that you can fit into your diet to give you more energy, mental clarity, and even help you lose weight.
Green Tea
Green tea is the best herb to boost the metabolism. It contains caffeine which has a thermogenic effect in the body. This means it speeds up the overall process of breaking down food and distributing energy. The caffeine found in green tea is the only caffeine our body metabolizes perfectly without any impurities left over. This makes it a great substitute to coffee. Green tea comes in tea bag, pill, and powder forms for a variety of ways to get this powerful herb.
Cayenne Pepper
Spicy cayenne pepper has the same powerful affect as green tea without any caffeine. Taking this spicy herb with one meal a day gives us an instant boost in alertness and gets our metabolism working overtime. Too much cayenne pepper or other spicy foods can cause digestive discomfort, so it is best to take only small doses.
Ginseng
Ginseng has been used by the Chinese for centuries as a stimulant. It has a direct effect on our metabolism and helps you burn more calories throughout the day. Ginseng also boosts your alertness and gives you a noticeable boost in energy. In fact, Ginseng is what powers many of the popular energy drinks on the market today.
Ginger
The strong and unique flavor of ginger is just one of its many qualities. Ginger automatically stimulates digestion and this increases the metabolism. Additionally, it minimizes pain and soreness in the body and can even relieve symptoms of the common cold. You can get ginger in raw form, teas, mixed into main dishes, and even in beer form!
Kelp
The thyroid is a small gland in the base of the neck that controls the body’s consumption of energy. Certain chemicals stimulate the thyroid to go into overdrive and burn extra energy. Kelp contains iodine which is one of these chemicals. Adding a sprinkling of kelp to your meal will help boost your metabolism throughout the day.
There are a few side effects to be aware of when taking herbal supplements that boost the metabolism. If you are sensitive to caffeine, you may find that you have trouble sleeping if you take too much. Start out with small dosage and adjust accordingly.
Remember, no amount of herbal supplement will make up for a diet high in saturated fats or a sedentary life style. Boosting your metabolism will go a long way to giving you the energy you need to stick to a fitness routine. Add these herbs to your fat burning arsenal and you’ll see results in no time.