Do not let exercise give you an excuse to overindulge in high-calorie foods and drinks. Muscle burns more calories than fat. So will building more muscle not boost your metabolism?

Yes, but only by a small amount. Most regular exercisers only gain a few pounds fewer kilograms of muscle. That is not enough to make a big difference in the number of calories you burn. Plus, when not in active use, muscles burn very few calories. Most of the time, your brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs account for most of your metabolism.

What to do: Lift weights for stronger bones and muscles. Make strength training part of a well-rounded exercise program that includes activities to get your heart pumping.

To keep off extra weight, you also need to eat a healthy diet and appropriate portions. Eating foods like green tea, caffeine, or hot chili peppers will not help you shed excess pounds kilograms. Some may provide a small boost in your metabolism, but not enough to make a difference in your weight.

What to do: Choose foods for their good nutrition and taste. Eat a variety of healthy foods that fill you up without filling you out. Unfortunately, there is little scientific evidence that eating small, frequent meals boosts metabolism.

Spreading your meals throughout the day might keep you from getting too hungry and overeating. If so, it is a good idea. Athletes perform better when they eat more often in smaller amounts. If you are someone who has a hard time stopping once you start eating, 3 meals a day may make it easier for you to stick to an appropriate intake than lots of little snacks.

What to do: Pay attention to your hunger cues and eat when you feel hungry. Keep track of your daily diet and limit high-sugar, high-fat snacks. A good night's sleep will not boost your metabolism but going without sleep can add weight.

Sleep-deprived people tend to eat more calories than they need, possibly to deal with feeling tired. What to do: Plan your schedule so you have enough time for sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, look into ways to unwind before bedtime and make your bedroom comfortable for sleep.

Talk to your health care provider if self-care tips for better sleep do not help. While it is true that our metabolism is slower than when we were kids, a lot of mid-life weight gain happens because we become less active.

Jobs and family push exercise to the back burner. When we do not move as much, we lose muscle and gain fat. As you get older, you may also have trouble regulating your meals.

After a big meal, younger people tend to eat less until their bodies use up the calories. This natural appetite control seems to fade as people get older. Unless you pay close attention, big meals can quickly add up.

What to do: As you get older, it is important to make exercise a regular part of every day. By staying active and sticking with smaller portions of healthy foods, you can ward off weight gain as you age.

Cowley MA, Brown WA, Considine RV. Obesity: the problem and its management. In: Jameson JL, De Groot LJ, de Kretser DM, et al, eds. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric. In one study, the energy spent at rest resting energy expenditure up to an hour following HIIT was higher, even compared to aerobic exercise.

Strength training, such as resistance bands or lifting weights, can also positively affect your metabolism. In a study of sedentary women, six weeks of moderate resistance training increased their resting metabolic rate. At rest, a person who strength-trains regularly burns more calories daily.

Green and oolong tea has traditionally been touted to have numerous health benefits. Among them is that regular consumption can boost your metabolism. Though the evidence is mixed, some research suggests two compounds in this tea—caffeine and catechins —may increase metabolic function.

Chili peppers and spicy foods contain capsaicin , which affects metabolism. In a broad-ranging review, researchers noted evidence that diets emphasizing this substance improved the signs of metabolic disease disorders affecting the metabolism and helped manage obesity.

There are many health benefits to ensuring that you get enough sleep, which for adults should be seven to eight hours a night. Among them is that getting better sleep is linked with improved metabolism, but the growing consensus is that this effect is indirect.

While sleep deprivation may not directly impact metabolism, it raises the risk of weight gain, obesity, and diabetes, which do have an effect on metabolism. This involves:. The caffeine in coffee, tea, or other beverages might be more than just a morning pick-me-up.

People in this study did not make any other lifestyle or dietary changes, further supporting the hypothesis that caffeine contributes to an elevated metabolic rate.

Since the body requires energy to digest food, you can improve your metabolism by snacking regularly throughout the day. Healthcare providers sometimes recommend this strategy to help people manage obesity.

While medical literature has shown snacking provides some benefits for certain people, like athletes, there is little evidence of a direct metabolic effect.

If you snack, choose nutrient-dense options over foods like cookies, chips, and those with added salts and sugars. The healthiest snacks are nuts, fresh fruit, and vegetables. Additional ways to boost your metabolism include being active, avoiding crash diets, and reducing stress. Having a sedentary lifestyle can adversely affect your health.

It raises the risk of obesity, affects bone and muscle development, and impacts your metabolism. If you sit for work or are constantly seated at home, take breaks to stand or walk. One study comparing data from Southeast Asia and the United States showed that taking a break to stand or walk every 30 minutes boosted metabolic health in older adults.

Countless dietary fads promise to boost your metabolism and manage your weight. Crash diets focusing on severe food restrictions can prevent your body from getting the nutrients it needs. Aim to eat a variety of foods that provide sufficient calories and essential vitamins and minerals.

Blood flow and energy expenditure are redirected from digestion and metabolism to the muscles and the brain. This slows your metabolic rate, and if the stress persists, this can cause long-term effects.

So how can you tell if your metabolism is slow? There can be many signs, with the most common including:. The thyroid is the small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that regulates metabolism.

Low thyroid levels slow your metabolic function and raise the risk of complications, such as high cholesterol or coma. A big part of managing hypothyroidism and preventing these complications is boosting your metabolic rate.

Alongside a prescription of levothyroxine , a synthetic thyroid hormone, lifestyle and dietary changes that promote your metabolism play a key role. Metabolism is the process by which your body converts food into energy.

Modifiable factors influencing your metabolic rate include diet, physical activity, and sleep. Incorporating a high-protein diet, high-intensity exercise, strengthening, and better sleep habits are among the ways to boost your metabolism naturally. You may require medication if an underlying condition is affecting your metabolism.

Sabounchi NS, Rahmandad H, Ammerman A. Best-fitting prediction equations for basal metabolic rate: informing obesity interventions in diverse populations. Int J Obes Lond. Can you boost your metabolism?

Metallo CM, Heiden MGV. Understanding metabolic regulation and its influence on cell physiology. Mol Cell. Mullur R, Liu YY, Brent GA. Thyroid hormone regulation of metabolism. Physiol Rev. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Metabolic syndrome: causes and risk-factors.

Clegg DJ, Mauvais-Jarvis F. An integrated view of sex differences in metabolic physiology and disease. Mol Metab. Kastenmüller G, Raffler J, Gieger C, Suhre K.

Genetics of human metabolism: an update. Hum Mol Genet. Yoo J, Fu Q. Impact of sex and age on metabolism, sympathetic activity, and hypertension. FASEB j. Pesta DH, Samuel VT. A high-protein diet for reducing body fat: Mechanisms and possible caveats.

Nutr Metab Lond. Vij VA, Joshi AS. Effect of 'water induced thermogenesis' on body weight, body mass index and body composition of overweight subjects. J Clin Diagn Res. Wingfield HL, Smith-Ryan AE, Melvin MN, et al. The acute effect of exercise modality and nutrition manipulations on post-exercise resting energy expenditure and respiratory exchange ratio in women: a randomized trial.

Sports Med Open. Stavres JR, Zeigler MP, Bayles MP. Six weeks of moderate functional resistance training increases basal metabolic rate in sedentary adult women. Int J Exerc Sci. Esmaeelpanah E, Razavi BM, Hosseinzadeh H. Green tea and metabolic syndrome: A year research update review.

Iran J Basic Med Sci.

List of Partners vendors. Our metabolisms get blamed for a lot. Our inability to mainline chocolate without putting on weight? Those seven pounds that just won't budge?

Our general fatigue? But do you know what your metabolism is and what it even does? Meet the Expert. According to the NHS website, "metabolism describes all the chemical processes that go on continuously inside the body to keep you alive and your organs functioning normally, such as breathing, repairing cells and digesting food.

Whether you refer to it as your BMR or your metabolism, at the end of the day, we all just want to know how to lose any excess weight, right?

Keep scrolling for easy-to-follow tips on how to boost your metabolism. There is some debate around the whole idea of whether eating breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper is really the secret to weight loss.

Instead of worrying too much about size, it's the type of foods you include on your breakfast plate that really has an effect on metabolism. If you want to fire up your system, a study found that you should factor in low-GL so low-sugar and high-protein foods at breakfast.

Think savory, and include some lean protein like chicken yes, for breakfast or eggs. When it comes to basic cardio HIIT not included , you only raise your calorie burn while you're active, but HIIT and strength training will keep your metabolism elevated for hours afterward, increasing fat burn for far longer than just the time you were working.

Your morning brew is very high in antioxidants, but also linked to excess cortisol and adrenal fatigue," says Kelly LeVeque, health coach.

Take the beWELL approach: Enjoy a cup of brew in the morning and then stick to green tea throughout the afternoon. Since high cortisol levels caused by excessive caffeine are more likely to put extra weight around your waist, avoid all sodas and calorie-laden coffee drinks.

Increasing your fiber intake might aid in weight loss. How so? Well, Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD and creator of the F-Factor Diet, claims that eating a diet rich in high-fiber foods boosts metabolism because fiber is indigestible. There are two types of fiber: soluble, which takes on water as it's digested and helps you feel fuller for longer, while insoluble fiber simply passes through the system, helping us to pass our food.

Most fiber has a combination of both insoluble and soluble fibers. Foods higher in insoluble fiber include wheat bran, beans, cauliflower and apples. While soluble fiber is found in brown rice, oat bran and artichokes, among other foods.

A healthy metabolism equals a healthy body, but metabolic syndrome can lead to diabetes and heart disease. Of course, exercise and a healthy diet will go a long way to prevent this, but if you're going through a busy period, and your workouts and healthy meals have taken a back seat, just make sure you're supplementing with the right micronutrients.

Certain vitamins and minerals have been found to support a healthy metabolism. While we can get these from a varied diet, it's worth padding your intake with a supplement sometimes.

Research has shown that fat soluble micronutrients, such as Vitamins A and E may be crucial for preventing metabolic syndrome. Vitamin D may also be key in preventing metabolic syndrome, and since we live in a country where the sun doesn't always shine, it may be worth taking this every day regardless of the merits of your diet.

As we have mentioned before, strength training is the key to burning more fat at rest in other words for raising your BMR. Lean muscle is definitely your ally in raising your BMR. In fact, an older study found that weight-lifting increased calorie-burn for 38 hours after exercise.

As dietitian Su-Nui Escobar notes, "muscle burns more calories than fat at rest. Muscle loss occurs due to lack of exercise and it also naturally happens as people age. While cardio is integral to maintaining health, muscle is equally important. The key to maintaining muscle mass is to do strength training workouts, from weight lifting to pilates," Escobar says.

As you can see, it is not that lack of sleep reduces the metabolism but it makes it a lot harder to eat in a way that [leads] to a good body weight. Thus, if a person eats a diet with more protein and less fat, this person will use more calories.

On the other hand, if the diet is high in fat, it will take fewer calories to digest and absorb the meal. This is called the thermic effect of food. Studies have found that those who drink more water tend to burn more calories.

The U. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends that adult men get roughly Standing up is integral for those looking to boost their metabolism, as long periods of sitting equate to fewer calories burned.

In fact, research shows that breaking up long periods of sitting can help reduce health risk factors and may have positive outcomes on metabolism. It's easier said than done on work days, but investing in a standing desk or taking short breaks throughout the day — to stand up and move around — may help.

Avoid crash diets , which may cause your metabolism and your weight to yo-yo. Instead, make lifestyle changes like getting more sleep and taking on a workout and diet that are easy to maintain.

While it might seem like a good idea to drop weight quickly via short but heavily regimented diets, those may cause your body to lose muscle and cause you to get rundown quickly.

Updated August 2, Kamada I, Truman L, Bold J, Mortimore D. The impact of breakfast in metabolic and digestive health. Some studies report similar benefits with doses as low as 6—10 milligrams mg per day. This is equivalent to one jalapeño pepper 4 , 5.

According to a review of studies including nearly people, consuming at least 2 mg of capsaicin directly before each meal seems to reduce calorie consumption, especially from carbs 6. Similarly, adding cayenne pepper to your meal may increase the amount of fat your body burns for energy, especially following a high fat meal.

However, this fat-burning effect may only apply to people unaccustomed to consuming spicy foods 7. The caffeine found in coffee may help increase metabolic rate. Furthermore, caffeine may help your body burn fat for energy.

It seems especially effective at boosting your workout performance , according to older research 9. However, its effects may vary from person to person based on individual characteristics such as body weight and age 9.

Tea contains health-boosting compounds called catechins that may work with caffeine to boost metabolic rate. Both oolong and matcha green tea may increase fat oxidation and may help you burn extra calories when part of an exercise plan 10 , In addition, oolong and green teas may help your body use stored fat for energy more effectively, increasing your fat-burning ability Legumes and beans are particularly high in protein compared with other plant foods.

Examples include:. Studies suggest their high protein content requires your body to burn more calories to digest them compared with lower protein foods. This is due to their TEF 1. Legumes also contain dietary fiber , including resistant starch and soluble fiber, which your body can use as a prebiotic to feed the good bacteria in your large intestine In turn, these friendly bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids , which may help your body more effectively use stored fat as energy and maintain normal blood sugar levels Ginger and related spices are thought to have particularly beneficial metabolism-boosting properties.

Ginger may help with weight management, obesity prevention, and energy metabolism For instance, older research shows that dissolving 2 grams of ginger powder in hot water and drinking it with a meal may help you burn up to 43 more calories than drinking hot water alone This hot ginger drink may also decrease hunger levels and enhance feelings of satiety, or fullness Cacao and cocoa are tasty treats that may also benefit your metabolism.

Flavonoids in cacao and cacao byproducts may help support metabolic actions and help reduce hypertriglyceridemia Another research review suggests that cocoa and dark chocolate may help reduce body weight, a factor that can contribute to the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disorders Processing tends to reduce the amounts of beneficial compounds and add extra sugar and calories MCT oil is a unique type of fat that may offer some metabolic benefits.

Most fats found in foods are long-chain triglycerides, but MCT oil comprises medium-chain triglycerides. Some older studies have shown that MCT oil consumption can increase metabolic rate in humans.

Additionally, unlike long-chain fats, once MCTs are absorbed, they go directly to the liver to be turned into energy. This makes them less likely to be stored as body fat 19 , 20 , MCT oil is typically taken as a supplement, although it can be added to foods like soups or smoothies.

Drinking enough water is a great way to stay hydrated. However, the effects only appear to last for 40—90 minutes after drinking water.

The strength of the effect may vary from person to person. Seaweed is rich in iodine , a mineral required to produce thyroid hormones and for your thyroid gland to function properly Thyroid hormones have various functions, one of which is to regulate your metabolic rate 3. Regularly consuming seaweed can help you meet your iodine needs and maintain your metabolic health.

Five foods that can support your metabolism include those high in protein and minerals that benefit your thyroid function, such as:. Certain foods may help slightly increase your metabolic rate, or how many calories you burn.

Consuming them regularly may help you lose weight and manage your weight in the long term. However, these foods will not negate a poor quality diet.

For effective, lasting weight loss and weight management, seek a gradual reduction in calories and choose mostly whole, minimally processed foods. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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To remedy this, as best as you can, avoid foods and drinks that contain more than 2 to 3 grams of added sugar per serving, though zero is better, Dr. Then avoid overconsuming foods with refined white flour , which turn into sugar in the body.

Sadly, that includes pastries, cookies, cakes, tortillas, pastas, and bread. Turn to whole, unrefined grains instead, like quinoa, brown rice, farro, barley, and many more grain varieties for a hit of wholesome carbohydrates that come with tons of added benefits like fiber, vitamins and minerals, and even a little bit of protein in some cases.

You've heard it a million times, but there's good reason to drink water regularly to stave off dehydration. By getting direct sunlight first thing in the morning and avoiding excess artificial light near bedtime , you'll be aiding your metabolism. Means explains. Every morning, go outside for a few minutes even if it's cloudy—although you might have to stay out a little longer for optimal effects.

Your health—and your metabolism—depends on proper sleep. Health experts generally recommend that adults sleep for seven to nine hours a night. If you're really struggling to sleep, talk with your physician to sort out underlying issues disrupting your rest. RELATED: 11 Healthy Habits That Can Help You Sleep Better.

It's nearly impossible in today's world to avoid toxins, but do your best. To reduce metabolically disruptive chemicals, opt for organic food when possible, eliminate home or personal care products that include fragrance choose unscented , use less plastic to store food, water, and other products in the home, and invest in a high-quality air filter.

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Ghanei Gheshlagh R, Parizad N, Sayehmiri K. The relationship between depression and metabolic syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis study. Iran Red Crescent Med J. Taetzsch A, Roberts SB, Gilhooly CH, et al. Food cravings: associations with dietary intake and metabolic health.

Del Moro L, Rota E, Pirovano E, Rainero I. Migraine, brain glucose metabolism and the "neuroenergetic" hypothesis: a scoping review.

J Pain. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. What is metabolic syndrome? Magkos F, Astrup A. Dietary carbohydrate, energy expenditure, and weight loss: is eating less and burning more possible? J Nutr.

Oliver A, Chase AB, Weihe C, et al. Naturally warming foods like cayenne pepper, chili and other spicy ingredients are known to increase heat in the body thanks to an active compound called capsaicin.

These antioxidant-packed spices also might help decrease appetite and slow the growth of fat cells. As mentioned above, very low-calorie diets can actually interfere with your ability to burn more calories. Therefore you want to avoid most fat diets when trying to boost your metabolism.

While calorie intake varies from person to person, we all need to meet our needs in order to supply the necessary chemicals that are used for building, upkeep and repair of all body tissues.

Very low-calorie diets miss key nutrients. This robs the body of raw materials like carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus or sulfur, which are supplied in carbohydrates, lipids, protein and water from our diets.

Meal timing can look differently for different people, with some choosing to eat three square meals a day with fewer snacks, while others prefer eating smaller meals but more often. Either approach is OK as long as it keeps your energy, blood sugar and hunger levels stable.

In addition, to support a healthy and stable weight, one of the most compelling reasons to work on increasing your metabolism is that this keeps us from prematurely aging and getting sick often. Another benefit of eating enough calories every day is that it helps you maintain a healthier relationship with food.

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J Clin Diagn Res. Wingfield HL, Smith-Ryan AE, Melvin MN, et al. The acute effect of exercise modality and nutrition manipulations on post-exercise resting energy expenditure and respiratory exchange ratio in women: a randomized trial.

Sports Med Open. Stavres JR, Zeigler MP, Bayles MP. Six weeks of moderate functional resistance training increases basal metabolic rate in sedentary adult women. Int J Exerc Sci. Esmaeelpanah E, Razavi BM, Hosseinzadeh H. Green tea and metabolic syndrome: A year research update review. Iran J Basic Med Sci.

Ao Z, Huang Z, Liu H. Spicy food and chili peppers and multiple health outcomes: Umbrella review. Molecular Nutrition Food Res. So-ngern A, Chirakalwasan N, Saetung S, Chanprasertyothin S, Thakkinstian A, Reutrakul S.

Effects of two-week sleep extension on glucose metabolism in chronically sleep-deprived individuals. J Clin Sleep Medi. Alperet DJ, Rebello SA, Khoo EYH, et al. The effect of coffee consumption on insulin sensitivity and other biological risk factors for type 2 diabetes: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

American J Clin Nutrition. Ohkawara K, Cornier MA, Kohrt WM, Melanson EL. Effects of increased meal frequency on fat oxidation and perceived hunger. Obesity Silver Spring. Yates T, Edwardson CL, Celis-Morales C, et al.

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J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy eating for healthy weight. Coping with stress. Wilson SA, Stem LA, Bruehlman RD. Hypothyroidism: diagnosis and treatment.

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List of Partners vendors. Diet and Nutrition. By Mark Gurarie. Medically reviewed by Karina Tolentino, RD. Table of Contents View All.