14 Mega Metabolism Boosters

Metabolism is the process your body uses to convert food into energy. If your weight loss has plateaued, it could be a sign that your metabolism is in need of a boost. Learn what to eat and drink to turbocharge your metabolism and shed unwanted pounds fast.

BCAA Powder

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) can help repair and build muscle even when you can't make it to the gym! Muscle burns at least three times the number of calories as fat, which makes building muscle a priority for boosting metabolism. BCAA does just that by helping your body repair and rebuild muscle. Get the benefits by adding 1000 mg of BCAA powder to your morning smoothie. Always ask your doctor before starting a new supplement.

Greek Yogurt and Lemon

This indulgently flavored dynamic duo will help you start your day with a mega metabolism boost. The vitamin C in the lemon can help your body absorb the metabolism-boosting calcium in the Greek yogurt.

Sage Leaf Tea

Compounds in sage leaf tea help move sugar out of the blood and into your cells, sending the message that it's time to start breaking down nutrients to use for the entire day. Having one cup of this tea with breakfast can help keep your metabolism revving all day long.

White Bean Extract

Every time you eat a sugary snack your body gets a huge rush of sugar, which spikes your blood sugar and promotes fat storage. White bean extract may stop your body from breaking carbohydrates down into sugars and storing them as fat. Take 500 mg of white bean extract once a day before your most carb-rich meal to get the benefits. Always ask your doctor before starting a new supplement.

Chili Peppers

Chili peppers get their heat from a bioactive compound called capsaicin, which may help curb your appetite by raising your body temperature. Get the fat-fighting benefits by incorporating more red peppers, cayenne, jalapeños, habaneros or Tabasco into your diet.

Vinegar

Cooking with vinegar can slow the absorption of carbohydrates and help prevent sudden surges in your blood sugar. It may also slow the passage of food through your stomach, keeping you fuller for longer.

Ice Water

Drinking ice water forces your body to burn calories by bringing your body temperature back to normal. Drinking eight glasses of ice water a day could work off almost 70 calories! Additionally, drinking a full glass of ice water before a meal will help you feel fuller quicker, helping to keep you from overeating.

Black Pepper

Black pepper contains the alkaloid piperine, which can help speed up metabolism. Try reaching for the pepper mill when you'd normally use salt; you'll boost your metabolism and reduce your sodium intake. If you want to multiply black pepper's metabolism-boosting effect, try adding it to tomato juice. Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that helps protect your mitochondria.

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea contains polyphenols that may help block fat-building enzymes. Research shows that oolong may boost metabolism for up to several hours after every cup of Oolong. This young tea is also lower in caffeine than black tea or coffee, so substituting it could help you avoid a caffeine crash.

Papaya

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which improves protein digestion and absorption, which is key to boosting metabolism and burning fat

Matcha Green Tea

Matcha green tea contains the polyphenol EGCG, a thermogenic component believed to boost metabolism. Unlike other varieties of green tea, where you steep and discard the leaves, matcha tea is ground into a powder that completely dissolves in water. When you drink it, you ingest the tea leaves and all of their healthful nutrients. It has great antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Enjoy matcha green tea cold – cold beverages require your body to work harder, burning more calories. For a metabolic boost, aim for three cups a day.

Cacao Nibs

Cacao nibs are the unsweetened, raw material that chocolate is made from. They’re chock-full of healthy, anti-inflammatory polyphenols to blast belly fat without the unwanted refined sugars in candy bars.

Spicy Wasabi Peas

If you're craving a crunchy, savory snack, reach for wasabi peas. The heat from the wasabi stimulates your body’s metabolic engine, while the fiber from the peas helps keep you full.

Ginger

For a metabolism-boosting meal, slice fresh ginger and stir-fry it with vegetables. Ginger not only aids in digestion but can also increase metabolic rates as much as 20 percent after eating.

Written by Dr. Oz