It’s no secret that every single thing you add to your plate of food will affect your body, down to the salt that you use. Herbs and spices have been used in homeopathic medication for centuries, because certain ones have health properties that can affect your body in different ways. Some spices change the way your body digests the food that it’s added into which can, surprisingly, boost your weight loss efforts – albeit minimally, every small bit counts.
Weight Loss Spice Mix and Match for Weight Loss
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is part of the chili family, and adds a tasty burn to foods that it’s added to. The active ingredient in cayenne pepper is capsaicin. Capsaicin is what gives chilies their burn, but it is also useful for increasing the metabolism, reducing spikes of insulin for people with type 2 diabetes, and is used in many different skin products because of its beneficial properties. It should be used moderately, however, as too much cayenne can cause nausea and abdominal pain.
Turmeric
This vibrant coloured spice is becoming increasingly popular in foods, curries, teas, and even in beauty products. Turmeric is grouped as a super food because of its potent medicinal and healing properties. Its active ingredient is called curcumin, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory chemical that can aid in weight loss over time. There are even turmeric supplements that aid in alleviating certain cancers in the body.
Black Pepper
Piperine is the active ingredient in black pepper that gives it its sharpness, and has weight-lowering effects. Piperine can inhibit fat cell formation. A combination of black pepper and cayenne pepper will boost weight loss properties even more!
Cinnamon
This versatile spice is not only great on pancakes and in curries; it offers several health benefits including stabilising blood sugar which in turn reduces appetite. It also slows down the rate at which carbohydrates are broken down in the body.
Mustard Seed
Not only does mustard burn in your mouth, it can burn fat too! It does this by boosting your metabolism, even several hours after eating it. Mustard seed isn’t good for you when it’s in heavily preserved sauces or in sauces with loads of colourants. If you’re going to buy a mustard to aid with weight loss, try to find an organic one.
Moral of the story: keep it spicy! For other weight loss tips, as well as an effective weight loss programme, give us a call.