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Not only are spices great for adding flavor to your favorite meals, but choosing the right ones can also offer for impressive anti-inflammatory and metabolism boosting benefits that may make weight loss even easier. Seasoning your food with certain spices over others can naturally enhance fat burn in the body, stoking your metabolism and burning through more calories at rest so you can enjoy the flavor and health benefits of your meals. Although most spices have their own unique qualities, these are the five that health experts agree can transform your body so you can look and feel your best all with just a few changes in the kitchen.
Ginger
Not only is ginger great for soothing an upset stomach, but it can also help improve your metabolism when consumed daily over time. “Research shows that ginger promotes digestion and increases our metabolism. Just adding 2 grams of ginger powder in hot water and drinking it with a meal may help you burn up to 43 more calories,” explains Tracie Cavalier, RDN, LDN, CNSC to Ochsner Health. “It promotes a feeling of fullness, decreases hunger levels and calms the digestive tract.” Try brewing up a ginger tea or add ginger into your morning oatmeal for the best results.
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most well-known anti-inflammatory spices, and the health benefits don’t stop there. Studies have shown that the curcumin in turmeric provides a multitude of antioxidants which may naturally aid in weight loss. In a study done by Tufts University, turmeric was found to "reduce weight gain in mice and suppress the growth of fat tissue." While more human trials need to be done in order to uncover a definitive verdict, the results look promising. Cook up a curry this week and add in an extra teaspoon of turmeric for good measure.
Cayenne
Hot foods are well known for providing a metabolism boost and cayenne is no exception. According to Ochsner Health, “Capsaicin is found in cayenne and helps increase your body’s ability to burn fat and calories by stimulating body heat. Capsaicin is also found in chili peppers that help speed metabolism. The heat raises our body temperature temporarily increasing our metabolism by 15% to 20%. The hotter the pepper, the higher the metabolic burn.” If you love spicy food and often find yourself packing on the hot sauce, adding a little more cayenne pepper to your cooking may just do the trick.
Cinnamon
Not only is cinnamon a delicious addition to your morning bowl of oatmeal, but it can also help you to lose weight and boost your metabolism in the process. “Studies show that a specific compound found in cinnamon can mimic the effects of insulin, helping transport sugar from the bloodstream to your cells to be used as fuel. Cinnamon may also decrease levels of certain digestive enzymes to slow the breakdown of carbohydrates,” explains Healthline.
Cumin
With a robust flavor perfect for any curry or chili, cumin may be one of the best spices to add into your cooking for increasing fat burn in the body. “In one small, randomized clinical trial, 88 women with overweight and obesity were assigned to either take three grams of cumin powder with a yogurt two times a day for three months or to eat the same amount of yogurt without cumin. The women in the cumin group had significant reductions in weight, BMI, waist circumference, and fat mass at the end,” reports Mind Body Green. While you may be eating a healthy and well rounded diet as it is, adding cumin or other such spices into your cooking may be the final boost you need to reach your weight loss goals once and for all.
