The idea is to eat and lose weight – the most correct. It is better to eat balanced and tasty than to exhaust yourself with strict diets. There are several tricks that will help you get rid of extra pounds. One of them is the use of spices. They will not only give the dish a characteristic taste and aroma but also help to lose weight. We figure out which spices have similar abilities, how to use them correctly, and whether they can harm health.
Spices for health and weight loss
Spices have different properties, they also act differently on excess weight. Some accelerate fat burning, others fight bloating and increased gas formation and others reduce swelling.
Spices can be useful for those who suffer from high blood pressure. It is known that one of the factors provoking its increase is excessive salt intake. Not everyone is ready to give up their favorite taste of products, and therefore certain tricks are required to help do this. One of them is the replacement of salt or part of it with spices. The taste of dishes can become more interesting, and food less harmful.
6 healthy spices that help you lose weight
1. Ginger
The benefits of ginger for weight loss have been confirmed by its centuries-old use in traditional medicine, as well as several scientific studies.
So, the results of one of them, conducted in 2019, show that adding ginger to food helps to get rid of belly fat, as well as lose weight in general.
The rich composition of ginger accelerates the process of digestion, burning already formed fat. It prevents the formation of new fat deposits, suppresses appetite.
2. Black pepper
Black peppercorns have superpowers. It is possible that it is one of the most effective spices for weight loss. It’s all about composition. Pepper contains piperine, a well-known alkaloid in Eastern medicine, which is used to combat inflammation and intestinal problems.
And this spice helps to slow down the formation of body fat and reduces the level of “bad” cholesterol. True, this was tested mainly on animals, but scientists have every reason to assume that piperine acts on humans in a similar way. By the way, it is contained not only in black but also in white pepper.
3. Cinnamon
When thinking about cinnamon, many people associate it with apple pie, other delicious pastries, and it somehow becomes not up to weight loss. And in vain. The possibilities of cinnamon are much more than it seems.
This spice contains polyphenols, antioxidants that improve tissue sensitivity to insulin and help you lose weight. One small pinch of cinnamon daily will help reduce appetite, which will favorably affect weight and figure.
4. Hot red pepper
No, we do not recommend eating spicy food, because it can harm the intestines and health in general, but adding a small amount of red pepper to your favorite dishes is worth it.
Hot peppers, most commonly cayenne, contain capsaicin. This is the same substance that provides sharpness. Its use allows you to reduce body fat, suppresses appetite, enhances the process of thermogenesis, which means that food begins to be digested faster so that the body receives the necessary energy.
The effect of capsaicin has been scientifically proven: people who ate peppery snacks before their main meal ate 200 fewer calories than those who ate snacks without pepper.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric for weight loss is another popular spice. It is added to dishes to give them a characteristic color and aroma.
Turmeric contains curcumin, which is associated with its beneficial properties. It is an antioxidant that can fight inflammation and cellular aging and allows you to get rid of extra pounds.
Turmeric can be added to meals, and curcumin supplements are often used for weight loss.
Turmeric really helps for weight loss: One study of obese people suggested drinking curcumin twice a day. Turmeric helped to burn fat more efficiently, especially on the stomach and accelerated the process of losing weight by about 5%.
How to take turmeric for those who decide to try to lose weight with it. Of course, constantly eating dishes with seasoning will not work, but you can drink it. Turmeric with water in the morning has a positive effect on the process of digestion. But be careful: beware of allergies.
6. Oregano
Another spice that is actively used in cooking. Oregano is a herb that includes mint, basil, thyme, and rosemary.
Oregano has a characteristic spicy smell and is usually added to dishes dried and crushed.
The “weight loss” effect of the spice is associated with the presence of carvacrol in its composition. It turned out that mice that ate a high-fat diet and received carvacrol were much thinner than those who were simply on a fatty junk diet.
In addition, it has been shown that this component can affect the functioning of the genes responsible for the synthesis and digestion of fats in the body.
How to use spices so as not to harm your health
It is important to follow a number of rules so that the use of spices is beneficial and does not lead to serious health problems:
- Know the measure. One tablespoon per day is enough: such an amount, most likely, will not provoke side effects;
- Check with your doctor. Some spices, in addition to the “weight loss” effect, can affect health. If you suffer from a chronic disease and take medication, it is possible that some spices may not suit you;
- Watch for allergic reactions. If you notice symptoms of a food allergy, stop eating the dish immediately and contact your doctor.
What else can help you lose weight
Of course, you should not rely on spices alone. They are just an auxiliary element on the way to the desired weight. But they will not help to cope with extra pounds if the food is high-calorie and the level of physical activity is low.
Pay attention to the following points:
- a balanced diet containing fats, proteins and carbohydrates;
- moderate level of physical activity;
- adequate fluid intake;
- reducing salt intake;
- appropriate sleep pattern
- reducing stress levels.
All these factors affect weight and can interfere with getting rid of extra pounds if they are neglected. Lifestyle is important, and therefore it is worth making an effort to adjust it towards a healthier one.
What can be done?
Add healthy spices to your meals. Partially replace salt with them to make lunch or dinner healthier.