Your body uses metabolism to transform food into energy. Increasing your metabolism and burning more calories can lead to weight loss and increased energy. Genetics influence your metabolic rate, but there are several natural ways to increase it. These are a few efficient ways to fire up your metabolism.
Consume foods high in protein.
Compared to fats and carbs, protein has a greater thermic effect on food (TEF). TEF shows that the energy required for nutrition processing, absorption, and digestion causes a spike in metabolic rate after eating. You may increase your metabolism for many hours after eating foods high in protein, such as fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Moreover, muscular tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue does, and protein helps to maintain and grow it.
Use HIIT, or high-intensity interval training.
HIIT is a type of workout that alternates short bursts of high intensity with low-intensity recovery intervals. This kind of activity, referred to as the “afterburn effect” or excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), can increase your metabolic rate long after you’ve finished working out. HIIT regimens can incorporate workouts like bodyweight exercises, cycling, and sprinting to accommodate varying levels of fitness.
Take part in strength training.
Another powerful way to speed up your metabolism is to increase muscle mass through strength training. Muscle tissue uses more calories even at rest due to its higher metabolic activity compared to fat tissue. It is possible to increase your muscle mass and, consequently, your metabolic rate by incorporating resistance activities such as weightlifting, resistance band workouts, or bodyweight exercises into your fitness routine.
Maintain good hydration.
The metabolism is just one of the many biological processes that require water. Even with a little dehydration, you can slow down your metabolism. Enough hydration facilitates the maintenance of an ideal metabolic rate. According to research, while the body expends energy to bring cold water to body temperature, consuming it can momentarily increase metabolism. Try to consume eight glasses (two liters) of water or more if you engage in physical activity each day.
Sip coffee and green tea.
Coffee and green tea both aid in speeding up the metabolism. Caffeine, present in both beverages, stimulates the production of adrenaline, thereby accelerating metabolism and increasing calorie expenditure. Catechins, another ingredient in green tea, help with fat burning when combined with caffeine. You may increase your daily calorie burn by 100 by drinking a couple cups of green tea or coffee.
Make good sleep your top priority.
A healthy metabolism depends on getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can interfere with hormones that control appetite and hunger, which may result in weight gain. Research has indicated that insufficient sleep might lead to a reduction in resting energy expenditure and a disruption of glucose metabolism. In order to maintain a healthy metabolism, aim for 7–9 hours of good sleep each night.
Consume light meals frequently.
Eating modest, frequent meals can sustain your metabolism throughout the day. Your metabolism may slow down if you go too long between meals. If you eat every three to four hours, your body will have a constant supply of energy, and your metabolic rate will stay stable.
Include hot foods.
There is a brief metabolic increase associated with spicy meals, particularly those containing chili peppers. Capsaicin, the ingredient in peppers that gives them their spiciness, may speed up your body’s calorie burn. Incorporating foods high in spice into your diet can speed up weight loss and improve metabolism.
Steer clear of extreme diets.
Crash diets, which involve eating extremely few calories, can significantly lower your metabolic rate. When you cut back on calories significantly, your body slows down its metabolism in an attempt to conserve energy. Choose a balanced diet that gives you enough calories to maintain both your physical activity and basal metabolic rate over drastic dieting.
Continue to move during the day.
Living an active lifestyle might help you maintain a high metabolism in addition to regular exercise. You can increase your calorie burn by performing basic exercises like standing, walking, using the stairs, and fidgeting. To maintain a high metabolism, try to increase the amount of movement in your everyday routine.