Losing weight can be challenging, especially for women who are biologically designed to store extra fat reserves. Women actually store more fat than men to provide a baby with nutrients during pregnancy in the event of a food shortage. Long ago, 5,000+ years, humans were not always lucky enough to eat multiple times a day, or even every single day. So fat reserves were typically used up during fasting timeframes. Fast forward to present day, most of the world now has an abundance of food with too many choices, including options tainted with addictive chemicals that are making you overweight and sick.
By adding some herbs to your regimen, you might be able to lose weight even faster. Below are some well known herbs to help boost your metabolism and aid in weight loss.
1. Cayenne Pepper
This spicy chili pepper contains capsaicin which has been found to slightly boost your metabolism and suppress your appetite. A lot of weight loss supplements actually contain cayenne pepper in them. This 2013 study found that capsaicin can increase the number of calories you burn throughout the day.
2. Caralluma Fimbriata
This edible cactus, originally used by Indian tribal people for centuries, was consumed as a weight loss aid and appetite suppressant. Now this extract is used in weight loss supplements world wide. This 2013 study found that participants who took this had greater decreases in belly fat and weight loss compared to the placebo group.
3. Cinnamon
This amazing spice not only tastes fantastic, but is proven to help metabolize blood sugar. This 2001 Study found that cinnamon actually helps transport sugar from the bloodstream to your cells to be used as immediate fuel (rather than being stored as fat). It acts just like insulin, the medicine you would take if you’re diabetic to help metabolize sugar.
4. Cumin (Cuminum)
This spice made from ground seeds has a very distinct flavor and is used in some great Cuban dishes, Curries and is an ingredient in many spice mixes. There have been a number of studies showing how regular consumption of cumin has helped people lose weight. This 2015 Study showed adults who took a cumin supplement lost 2.2lbs (1kg) more than those who took a placebo.
5. Ginger
This root contains gingerols and shogaols which have some powerful medicinal properties including anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. Many people who are overweight have inflammation, which ginger can help reduce. Ginger’s also been shown to help food digest faster. This 2014 study showed how ginger was able stabilize blood sugar levels aiding in weight loss
6. GinSeng
This root has several different varieties (Chinese, Korean and American) and has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. Recently a 2016 study showed that Ginsing improved the gut microbiome (which is responsible for your metabolism and the way your body processes fat). Improvements to your gut biome can have lots of beneficial effects to your overall heath, outside of just weight loss.
7. Turmeric (Curcumin)
This root has a ton of amazing health benefits including being an anti-inflammatory, improving heart health, and even aiding in the prevention against certain cancers and Alzheimers. Not surprisingly, it can also help with weight loss by regulating sugar levels and increasing bile production in your stomach (bile is responsible for emulsifying fat and your metabolism). Tuffs University published a study in 2009 showing how Turmeric can suppress fat tissue growth. A common method for consuming this Is making a tea drink (it can stain. your skin and clothes, fyi).
8. Green Tea
This lovely tea contains a mild amount of caffeine (20-40mg) compared to coffee (100-200). And although the stimulant caffeine can have a mild effect on metabolism, Green tea contains antioxidants like catechins which can help boost metabolism. It also contains EGCG which can promote the breakdown of fat. This 2000 study found the combination of caffeine and EGCG can work synergistically to help break down more brown adipose (fat) tissue than just caffeine alone.
It’s easy to integrate a lot of these herbs into your every day diet. Consuming herbs with food or as tea, as opposed to taking supplements, helps to reduce any risks of side effects. But many of these are available in supplement forms too (pills, powders, etc). Drinking teas, adding cinnamon to your oatmeal, or spice to your dinner is a simple way to give yourself a nice weightloss boost and stay healthy.
But to lose weight, you really need to try to eat as many whole food plant based foods as possible, eliminate processed junk foods, and consistently move or work out. Believe it or not, doing a 20 min cardio workout can be just as healthy as a brisk 1 hour walk. Consistency is key, so try to eat well and move every single day.
Good luck on your weight loss journey!
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