However, it can be hard to eat well and be active enough throughout your life, which means you probably need to proactively add certain habits into your daily routine to keep yourself feeling and acting young.

Technically, metabolism is all of the chemical reactions that take place in a living organism every day to keep it alive. Calories also called kilojoules are really a measure of energy, and our bodies depend on getting enough of them to keep us functioning in all aspects of life. While a properly working metabolism is definitely important for burning fat and preventing unwanted weight gain, boosting your metabolism is also critical for many other bodily functions.

Every single system within the body, from the endocrine system to digestive system, is linked to our rate of energy production at the cellular level. Your brain is actually one of the biggest beneficiaries of a strong metabolic rate, since its energy demands are extremely high.

Approximately 16 times more energy is needed to keep the brain working than to support skeletal muscle! Some of these factors are within your control like muscle mass and activity level, for example , while others are not genetics and age.

Ready to learn the best ways to boost your metabolism and burn fat? Here are some of the top metabolism boosters to try. These are signs of your metabolism becoming more sluggish — in other words a decrease in your basal metabolic rate.

On the other hand, keep your body properly fueled and it will perform much better in all areas of life for many years to come. This is a long-term solution instead of a quick fix. If you live in a calorie deficit because your exercise level is too high and your food intake is too low, your metabolism gets the message that it must slow down all functioning to conserve energy.

Which metabolism booster is good for weight loss then? I recommend you stop counting calories and instead focus on nutrient density. Eating enough every day, especially when you consume calories from a variety of unprocessed whole foods, is critical for metabolic health.

It also supports cognitive, hormonal, sexual and digestive health. People who are well-fed and avoid yo-yo dieting often experience better digestion, positive moods and more motivation, stronger desire to be active, better mental health, stronger sex drive, and more stable blood sugar levels.

Eating enough also usually means you have more motivation to be active, gain strength and muscle mass quicker , and feel less fatigued. This is why sleep deprivation can contribute to trouble with weight loss. According to the one meta-analysis, sleep restriction decreases insulin sensitivity and causes changes in brain activity in response to food stimuli, meaning food especially unhealthy types becomes more rewarding.

Make it a priority to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night in order to keep hormone levels in check, including cortisol. High cortisol levels associated with a lack of sleep are tied to poor mental functioning, weight gain and becoming more resistant to insulin that controls blood glucose levels.

Another way to maintain hormonal balance is to rest enough between exercise days. Overtraining repeatedly causes fatigue, muscle loss and a lower basal metabolic rate, not the opposite as you might think.

Exercise impacts your hormonal status, and intense workouts without rest elevate cortisol levels. Exercise of any kind is important for keeping metabolic function working into older age. Therefore, a decline in metabolism seems to be related most to age-associated reductions in exercise volume and calorie consumption than aging itself.

What is a good metabolism booster when it comes to exercise? High-intensity interval training HIIT , a form of exercise that features intervals that vary between all-out effort and short periods of rest, is known to especially jump-start metabolic functioning better than steady-state workouts can.

One of the best things about HIIT workouts is that they require less time than traditional cardio workouts, yet they have more profound benefits.

This phenomenon is due to the way the body uses higher levels of oxygen to recover following intense physical activity.

HIIT burns more fat over the duration of the day, builds more muscle and improves metabolic function compared to steadier exercises. It can also generally improve cardiometabolic functions and even hormonal balance, such as in women with PCOS.

Strength training — whether lifting weights or using your own body weight — can support your resting metabolic rate because it builds lean muscle mass , which naturally uses more calories than body fat does.

To improve your body composition, I recommend ideally doing heavy weight training of six to 12 reps, five days a week, for about 45—75 minutes for the best results.

Certain foods slow down digestive processes and increase free radical damage, which is one major cause of aging. This increases inflammation and stress hormone production, which slows down metabolic functioning. When trying to boost your metabolism, I recommend avoiding the following foods as much as possible:.

Certain foods might help the body use and expend energy better. This has to do with the thermic effects of some foods, especially those high in protein, meaning the body works harder to break down and metabolize certain fat-burning foods.

A small-scale study involving 63 people with type 2 diabetes suggests that drinking 4 cups of green tea daily can significantly reduce body weight, body mass index BMI , waist size, and systolic blood pressure. Other proposed health benefits of green tea include:.

Coffee can stimulate metabolism thanks to its caffeine content. Research reports that caffeine intake has a stimulating effect on energy expenditure and can lead to increased metabolism. However, it is essential to be mindful of total consumption. Learn about how much caffeine is too much, here.

Decaffeinated coffee does not have the same metabolism boosting benefits. Brazil nuts are one of the richest sources of selenium , a mineral that is essential for metabolism, reproduction, and immune function. They also contain protein and healthful fats to make people feel fuller.

Selenium is especially important for the thyroid gland, a gland that regulates metabolic function and produces several vital hormones. According to the National Institutes of Health NIH , each Brazil nut provides 68 to 91 micrograms mcg of selenium, which is more than the recommended dietary allowance RDA of 55 mcg per day.

People should avoid eating too many nuts, however, as this can cause selenium toxicity. The NIH set upper limits of selenium intake at mcg. Research also suggests that Brazil nuts can improve the cholesterol levels of healthy people.

Abnormal cholesterol levels are a marker of metabolic syndrome. Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables may also prevent or slow down several forms of cancer. For more significant metabolism enhancing effects, look for Beneforte broccoli, which contains high levels of glucoraphanin.

Spinach, kale , and other leafy green vegetables may boost metabolism thanks to their iron content. Iron is an essential mineral for metabolism, growth, and development. Leafy greens are a source of non-heme, or non-animal, iron.

Many leafy greens also provide good amounts of magnesium , another mineral that supports metabolic function and plays a role in over processes in the body. Eating a healthful diet is essential for regulating metabolism.

Other ways to boost metabolic function include:. According to one small-scale study , drinking an extra 1, milliliters ml of water daily can decrease body weight and BMI in some people who are overweight.

Participants drank ml before each meal. The researchers suggest that this is due to water-induced thermogenesis, where water increases metabolism. Research suggests that a lack of sleep may be contributing to the trend of increasing obesity and diabetes, which are consequences of metabolic syndrome.

According to the CDC , adults should aim to sleep for 7 to 9 hours a night. To improve sleep patterns, try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day.

Lifting weights regularly allows people to gain and retain muscle mass and to burn fat. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults should perform strengthening exercises 2 or more days each week. A study on sedentary women found that resistance training increased the overall basal metabolic rate BMR for up to 48 hours.

BMR refers to the number of calories that the body burns while resting. Many foods, including green vegetables, chili peppers, and protein sources, can boost metabolism and help people achieve or maintain a healthy weight.

Other lifestyle changes that improve metabolic health include drinking enough water, getting adequate sleep, and exercise activities. The Everlywell Metabolism Test measures the levels of cortisol, thyroid stimulating hormone, and free testosterone in the body.

Learn what the results…. Evidence suggests that sauerkraut may provide various health benefits, including supporting gut health. Learn more here. While guarana does contain more caffeine than coffee, both have potential benefits when consumed in moderation.

Learn more. Guarana has a variety of benefits, such as increasing energy levels and reducing inflammation. Whole grains are cereals and certain other grains that contain all the natural edible parts of the plant.

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Best 10 foods to boost metabolism. Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R. Eggs Flaxseeds Lentils Chili peppers Ginger Green tea Coffee Brazil nuts Broccoli Green vegetables Other tips Summary Certain foods contain specific nutrients that increase metabolism, the rate at which the body burns calories, among other processes.

Share on Pinterest Eggs are rich in protein and are a great option for boosting metabolism. Chili peppers. Share on Pinterest Studies suggest that capsaicin can boost metabolic rate.

Green Tea. Brazil nuts.