Lot of chemical reactions take place in our body. These reactions, known as metabolism, breakdown food and provide us the required energy. Metabolism is not just restricted to providing energy but it also uses the energy to build and repair body cells and tissues. The food taken by us contains carbohydrates, fats and proteins. During metabolism, enzymes convert the fats into fatty acids, proteins into amino acids and carbohydrates into sugar. These compounds get absorbed in the blood and are transported to the cells. The energy produced during this process is stored in our body to be used whenever needed.

Metabolism is a key factor to loosing and gaining weight. Faster the metabolism, faster you would be able to lose weight. Lesser the metabolism, slower would be the rate of weight loss. The pace at which these chemical reactions happen in your body or the pace at which your body burns the energy is known as the person's Basic Metabolic Rate (BMR). Persons with a low BMR have a tendency to gain weight because the fats consumed by the person do not burn properly due to which they get accumulated in the body raising the weight of the person.

I have listed down here foods that can boost your metabolism.

Foods for Increased Metabolism

Water

Consumption of water is the key factor to increase your metabolic rate. It plays a critical role in regulating the metabolic processes in the body. Water keeps your body well hydrated and also keeps the blood volume high. Increased intake of water helps blood carry increased levels of oxygen to cells and tissues so that they can spend more energy, hence increasing the metabolic rate. Due to less intake of water, kidneys get dehydrated. So, liver then takes over to help kidneys keeping its main focus of converting fats into energy, aside. Due to this the metabolic rate of the body lowers. Hence, it is important to take good amount of water every day.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is a high fiber and low calories fruit rich in Vitamin C. It is not only juicy but also has metabolism regulating properties. As we all know, if we have a normal metabolic rate, our weight remains normal and people with reduced metabolic rate tend to gain weight. This is the reason that even some weight loss medicines use the grapefruit extract as it helps to slim down.

Grapefruit also helps regulate the insulin levels in your body. With the increased insulin, glucose in the body does not get transferred to the cells and remains in the blood stream. Grapefruit lowers the insulin level thus preventing you from having diabetes.

Green Tea

Metabolism increases the energy expenditure of the body and hence makes you lose weight. Consumption of green tea helps in increasing the metabolism or the body's energy expenditure. Also, green tea oxidizes the fat in the body. Green tea is very effective for thyroid patients as it accelerates the metabolic rate and helps them lose some weight. Green tea also contains various anti oxidants called flavenoids which help prevent various diseases such as cancer. Green tea is calorie free and also contains less caffeine than coffee.

Yogurt

Yogurt is a calcium rich food and also contains very less calories. It also contains potassium, phosphorous and dietary proteins. Since, protein requires more energy to digest, your body burns extra calories to break down protein, hence boosting your metabolic rate. Adding yogurt to your daily breakfast would definitely help increase your metabolism.

Almonds

Almonds are not only rich in Vitamin E but, also contain monounsaturated fats that boost metabolism. Also, since almonds contain high amount of fiber, the body releases lot of energy to digest them, thereby increasing the metabolic rate. Almonds also reduce the blood sugar and cholesterol.

Coffee

Coffee is rich in caffeine which has the property of boosting up the resting metabolism. Coffee increases the body's metabolic rate by around 10 percent. Also, caffeine found in coffee increases the heart rate. Since the heart pumps the blood faster, it results in increased metabolic rate. Coffee has lot side effects such as it can cause sleep disorders, stomach disorders, so, coffee must be taken in controlled amount only.

Turkey

Turkey is rich in protein and has very less amount of fat, because of which it boosts your metabolism. Also, Turkey releases some happy hormones in the blood stream that make you feel happy and you remain in good mood.

Apples

An apple daily in the breakfast helps increase the metabolism. An apple a day helps prevent metabolic syndrome which is a condition that increases the risk of developing cardiovascular problems and diabetes. The soluble fiber, pectin found in apples lowers the cholesterol levels in the blood. Apples are also rich in anti oxidants which help prevent cancers. Any form of apple, be it the raw apple, apple juice or apple sauce; it is health for you. So, it is really true that "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

Spinach

Spinach is also a great food that prevents metabolic syndrome. As it is full in fiber, it requires lot of energy to break down. Hence, your body spends lot of energy to break down fiber into simpler forms thereby resulting in increased metabolism. Spinach is also a good source of Vitamin B which regulates the metabolic rate. Apart from fiber, spinach is also rich in Vitamin C, Potassium, Iron and anti oxidants.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice that temporarily improves your body's metabolic rate for about 20 minutes after its consumption.

Jalapenos

Jalapeno peppers are also a very good source of regulating your metabolism. They can burn about 50 calories a day and help you reduce weight. Jalapenos should be taken with some yogurt to reduce its acidic effect on the body.

Broccolli

Like spinach, broccolli is also rich in fiber and hence it is a great food to increase your metabolism. It is also rich in Calcium, Iron and Vitamin C.