8 Facts You Must Know About Metabolism
5. Some foods can speed up metabolism
Certain foods are said to speed up your body’s metabolic rate. These include acai berry, green tea, garlic and apple cider vinegar among others. Make sure to include them in your diet. Most experts are of the opinion that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, yogurt, and whole grains can help maintain your metabolism. Also, caffeine found in coffee and capsaicin found in chilies temporarily accelerates metabolism. However, they cannot be a substitute for regular exercise and should not be consumed in excess.
6. Metabolism slows down due to age
It’s true that as we age, our metabolism slows down. This is primarily due to a decrease in the net muscle mass and a decrease in physical activity with age. But a physically active 60 year old would have a better metabolic rate than a sedentary 30 year old. So, don’t just blame it on your age!
7. Starving can slow down metabolism
One of the most commonly held beliefs that starving can expedite weight loss is far from true. In an attempt to create an energy deficit condition, the body, in fact, is pushed into a starvation mode. It assumes a low calorie availability and adopts a slower metabolic rate for calorie conservation.
8. Eating late at night can slow down metabolism
It is a scientifically proven fact that there should be a minimum 2 hour gap between your last meal and bedtime. Soon after you hit the sack, the metabolic rate slows down doing nothing to help burn your dinner calories. The accumulated calories then translate into stored fats.
