The Five Foods that Melt Fat AND Fight Disease
| Feb 23, 2012 @ 06:49 PM
Can foods really burn fat? Experts now agree that certain foods can help you get rid of fat by raising your metabolism considerably. “Eating smaller, light meals or snacks more often throughout the day will keep a person’s metabolism running higher,” says Anne VanBeber, PhD, RD, Associate Professor and Chair Director of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics at Texas Christian University. “Those who fast or skip meals trick their body into the starvation mode and the metabolism slows down. A key tip for weight loss is to EAT.”
Here is a list of some of the foods that are rumored to fight flab.
TEA: In a 1999 Swiss study, six out of 10 men taking capsules of green tea extract burned, on average, about an extra 80 calories a day -The equivalent to 3 tablespoons of ice cream, 7 potato chips, or 1 Dunkin’ Donuts Munchkin. Green tea has long been touted as a cancer deterrent, and new studies are proving that it may actually help against esophageal, lung, and skin cancers. Green tea is also effective against a miriad of other problems, including oral bacteria and plaque, liver toxins from alcohol and cigarette chemicals, and blood cell clumping.
HERBS AND SPICES: A new Virginia State University study found that replacing 10 grams of fat, or a little less than a tablespoon of butter per day, by flavoring food with herbs and spices can contribute to a possible 10 pound weight-loss by the end of a year. The “warming” effects of this and other herbs, including chilli and mustard, have been shown to be associated with increased metabolic rate, which can result in “natural” fat burning. When it comes to health, fresh oregano, one of the most commonly used herbs in our kitchens, is also a powerful antioxidant (a disease-fighting compound), while thyme, basil, and turmeric are currently being studied for their anti-cancer properties.
NUTS: Eating just a handful of almonds may be a valuable tool to combat some of America’s leading health threats, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes, according to a recent study. “Our research shows that the fiber structure of almonds may block some of the fat from being absorbed, thereby reducing the calories available from almonds,” says researcher Peter Ellis, PhD, from King’s College London. “It is possible that the fiber in almonds is also affecting carbohydrate absorption, which may have implications for diabetes and heart disease.”
LENTIL SOUP: Eating foods that are high in fiber and have a high water content tend to stay with you longer and keep you feeling satisfied. “A serving of bean, pea or lentil soup will be high in fiber and fluid content,” says Cindy Moore, MS, RD, Director of Nutrition Therapy at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Because foods high in fiber take longer to digest and absorb, they provide a long-lasting satiety effect. “The longer it takes to break down, the longer you will have fuel entering your body, and the longer you will stave off hunger.”
CALCIUM-RICH FOODS: Calcium helps prevent bone loss, lowers blood pressure by up to five points and helps muscles (including your heart muscle) do their work of contracting and relaxing. Recent studies, however, have shown that calcium also aids weight loss by increasing metabolism levels. A study at the University of Tennessee found that when fat cells were exposed to a calcium rich environment, they broke down fat much more rapidly than when they were in a calcium-depleted environment. Good sources of calcium include low fat milk, low-fat yogurt (e.g., Fage Total 0% or Stonyfield Farms), low fat cheese like (e.g., Jarlsberg Lite), calcium-rich vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cabbage, kale and edamame), and high-calcium content mineral water (e.g., San Pellegrino).
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One Response to “The Five Foods that Melt Fat AND Fight Disease”
February 17th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
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