Every time we eat or drink, we can thank our metabolism for converting all those calories into energy. Our size, gender, and age all factor into our metabolic rate, but there are also ways to independently control its speed. And the faster our metabolism, the more calories we burn off, making that Krispy Kreme breakfast no longer such a big deal. (OK, the donut probably still isn’t the best idea.) Here are 11 proven ways to keep that body burning strong.
1. Sleep!
Almost nodding off in line at Starbucks isn’t the only downside of not catching enough zzz’s. Researchers have found a link between metabolism and sleep, and not getting enough of it may seriously slow metabolism.
2. Drink green tea
Not only does this superfood pack an antioxidant-punch, researchers have found it speeds metabolism as well 1
. Plus, it’s naturally calorie-free, so there’s no reason not to enjoy a mug (or two).
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3. Amp up workout intensity
Slow and steady may not always win the race. High-intensity interval training (HIIT), such as interval runs, are quick bouts of intense exercise that can jumpstart metabolism and keep us burning calories long after the workout is over. (Afterburn effect, anyone?) 2
.
4. Don’t skip breakfast
It may be time to reconsider hitting snooze in favor of getting up to grab a quick bite before starting the day. Studies show the importance of quick-starting metabolism with breakfast 34
. No a.m. appetite? Snack on something small, like a bowl of Greek yogurt.
5. Pump some iron
The weight room isn’t only to help bulk up or get lean. Lifting weights can also help speed resting metabolic rate, making those dumbbells our new best friends 56
.
6. Gulp some H20
Drinking enough water is a simple way to speed up digestion and burn calories 7
. We may need more than those recommended eight glasses a day too. Now if only wine could speed metabolism…
7. Spice things up
The next time a chicken breast is cooking up in the kitchen, add a dash of cayenne pepper. The heat from the pepper is thanks to capsaicin, which wont only add a fiery kick–it could help boost metabolism, too 8
.
8. Squeeze in some cardio
Hop on the bike and clock in some miles–one study found that 45 minutes on the bike sped up metabolic rate for over 12 hours 9
. Guess learning to ride a bike way back when was worth it!
9. Eat wisely
Who knew eating could actually help speed calorie burn? Certain foods like tuna and grapefruit have been shown to speed up metabolic rate 1011
. Packing in protein has also shown to boost metabolism, so pick some eggs over pancakes at the breakfast table for a morning metabolism boost 12
.
10. Grab a cup of Joe
This caffeinated morning beverage is not only a savior when it comes to pushing through a midterm paper or work meeting. A cup of coffee (or the caffeine in it) is absorbed into the blood stream very quickly, speeding up heart rate and provide a metabolic boost that peaks at about three hours after drinking 1314
.
11. Laugh a lot!
A little laughter may go a long way. Scientists have found that as little as 10 minutes of laughter per day (or roughly half an episode of SNL) can burn energy 15
. Just another reason to stay smiling!
Originally posted January 2012. Updated December 2014.
Works Cited
Metabolic effects of green tea and of phases of weight loss. Diepvens, K, Kovacs, E.M., Vogels, N, et al. Maastricht University, Department of Human Biology, The Netherlands. Physiology & Behavior, 2006 Jan 30;87(1):185-91. Epub 2005 Nov 7.
Metabolic profile of high intensity intermittent exercises. Tabata, I., Irisawa, K., Kouzaki, M., et al. Department of Physiology and Biomechanics, National Institute of Fitness and Sports, Kanoya City, Japan. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 1997 Mar;29(3):390-5
Breakfast consumption affects appetite, energy intake, and the metabolic and endocrine responses to foods consumed later in the day in male habitual breakfast eaters. Astbury, N.M., Taylor, M.A., Macdonald, IA. School of Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham UK. Journal of Nutrition, 2011 Oct;5(5):455-63. Epub 2011 Oct 28.
Skipping breakfast is associated with diet quality and metabolic syndrome risk factors of adults. Min, C, Noh, H, Kang, Y.S., et al. Department of Food and Nutrition, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. Nutrition Research and Practice, 2011 Oct;5(5):455-63. Epub 2011 Oct 28.
Effect of acute resistance exercise on postexercise oxygen consumption and resting metabolic rate in young women.Osterberg, KL, Melby, CL. Dept. of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2000 Mar;10(1):71-81.
Strength training increases resting metabolic rate and norepinephrine levels in healthy 50- to 65-yr-old men. Pratley, R, Nicklas, B, Rubin, M, et al. Department of Medicine, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Maryland. Journal of Applied Physiology, 994 Jan;76(1):133-7.
Water-induced thermogenesis. Boschmann, M, Steiniger, J, Hille, U, et al Franz-Volhard Clinical Research Center and Helios-Klinikum-Berlin, Medical Faculty of the Charité, Berlin, Germany. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2003 Dec;88(12):6015-9.
Effects of capsaicin, green tea and CH-19 sweet pepper on appetite and energy intake in humans in negative and positive energy balance. Reinbach, H.C., Smeets, A, Martinussen, T. Department of Food Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Clinical Nutrition, 2009 Jun;28(3):260-5. Epub 2009 Apr 3.
A 45-minute vigorous exercise bout increases metabolic rate for 14 hours. Knab, A.M., Shanely, R.A., Corbin, K.D., et al. Human Performance Laboratory, Appalachian State University, Kannapolis, NC. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2011 Sep;43(9):1643-8.
Discovery of the strong antioxidant selenoneine in tuna and selenium redox metabolism. Yamashita, Y, Yabu, T, Yamashita, M. Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, Fujisawa, Japan. The World Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2010 May 26; 1(5): 144-150.
Nootkatone, a characteristic constituent of grapefruit, stimulates energy metabolism and prevents diet-induced obesity by activating AMPK. Murase, T, Misawa, K, Haramizu, S, et al. Biological Science Laboratories, Tochigi, Japan. American Journal of Physiology – Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2010 Aug;299(2):E266-75. Epub 2010 May 25.
Effect of dietary protein content on weight gain, energy expenditure, and body composition during overeating: a randomized controlled trial. Bray, G.A., Smith, S.R., de Jonge, L, el a. Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2012 Jan 4;307(1):47-55.
Caffeine and coffee: their influence on metabolic rate and substrate utilization in normal weight and obese individuals. Acheson, K.J., Zahorka-Markjewicz, B, Pittet, P, et al. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1980 May;33(5):989-97.
Actions of caffeine in the brain with special reference to factors that contribute to its widespread use Fredholm, B.B., Bättig, K., Holmén, J., et al. Section of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Pharmacological Reviews, 1999 Mar;51(1):83-133.
Energy expenditure of genuine laughter. Buchowski, M.S.m Majchrzak, K.M., Blomquist, K, et al. Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. International Journal of Obesity (London), 2007 Jan;31(1):131-7. Epub 2006 May 2.
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