Food items are more than their sum of carbohydrates, calories and proteins. In fact, the various vitamins and minerals found in each different food item have the power to boost the immune system, cleanse the body and burn fat. However, not all foods are created equally. Some foods contain more vitamins or minerals than others and every different food stimulates the body in different ways. Nonetheless, there are many different foods that can be found on the grocer's shelves as well as most pantries that can help burn fat and boost the metabolism.
Fruits
Citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines and grapefruit are among the highest fat burning foods. Vitamin C dilutes fat content. The acidity of vitamin C essentially cuts through fat reducing the fat contents effectiveness to stick within the body. Vitamin C offers the body a boost, which is essential to any fat burning regiment. Tomatoes also contain vitamin C, which can result in fat burning. Although orange and tomato juice may help increase metabolism, it is not nearly as effective as the real fruit. Kiwi fruit is also an effective fat burner. These little tangy fruits are high in vitamin C and known to boost metabolism as effectively as citrus fruits. Other fruits that have fat burning and metabolism raising qualities include apples and fresh berries, which have ample amounts of pectin. Pectin coats the cells within body, limiting the amount of fat they can absorb. In addition pectin is water binding and flushes out excess fat. Berries, especially raspberries, are rich in pectin. However, apples (most notably apple peels) are the most pectin-rich fruit.
Vegetables
There are several vegetables that are known to have fat burning and metabolism boosting qualities. One of the most notable is the cucumber. Cucumbers are high in sulphur and silicone, both of which help the body rid itself of fat content. Cucumber seeds have stimulant properties that boost metabolism rates. Another vegetable known as a fat burner, the beet, is not as universally beloved. Beets are rich in iron, potassium, magnesium and fiber. They enrich the blood and aid in liver function, thus helping to rid the body of fat through elimination. Carrots, broccoli, asparagus and cabbage are all other examples of fat burning vegetables. Onions and garlic also make great fat burners. Since lettuce is also fat-burning food, garlic oil can be used as a salad dressing.
Dairy
Believe it or not, dairy is a fat burning food. The process of converting dairy down into lactic acid causes the body to utilize the energy stored in fat. Low fat dairy products such as cheese, milk and yogurt boost metabolism and burn fat.
Other Foods
There are a number of other foods that help rid the body of fat including tofu, chili peppers and apple cider vinegar. Tofu, made from soy, is high in protein and low in calories and jump starts metabolism and generates muscle tissue, burning calories along the way. Chili peppers are high in the compound capsaicin, which heats up the body and metabolism similar to the effects of a thermogenic product. The acidity in this fermented product heats up the body like a thermogenic. However, vinegar also combats fat in the same way as vitamin C; it dilutes it and flushes it from the system.
Natural Thermogenic
Thermogenic supplements and foods work to burn calories by heating up the body. The process of creating heat within the body requires calories and fat burning. There are a number of supplements on the market that are made to simulate this process. However, many foods, which may be considered safer than supplements, have the same qualities. Capsaicin, found in chili peppers and many other spicy foods, as well as ginger and another compound called chromium found in mushrooms, brown rice, whole grain and eggs. Other thermogenic food items include green tea, which helps burn fat without increasing heart rates like commercial supplements, and a compound called lecithin, found in soybeans and egg yolks.
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