Can Herbs & Spices Help You Lose Weight?
Spices can undeniably add some flavor and kick to your favorite food. But did you know that adding the right kinds of herbs and spices to the food that you eat can actually help you lose weight as well?
Of course, eating a lot of of food and consuming more calories that you burn can add to the weight that you currently have. It's a good thing that spices add no calories or sugars to your diet even if you add them up to your dishes, Prevention shared. These spices not only help you enjoy better tasting food, they will also help burn fat.
Here are some spices that can help you lose those unwanted pounds.
Turmeric
A study conducted in 2009 by Tufts University researchers has found that this yellow-colored spice helped mice lose more fat compared to those that not eat it, Prevention reported. Turmeric is a “warming spice” that boosts metabolism by increasing your body heat. It also is helpful in fighting Alzheimer's disease.
Try putting some turmeric to your soups, stews, or roasted nuts and veggies.
Cayenne
Cayenne, like turmeric, is a warming spice that really heats up your body, helping boost metabolism. By simply adding it into your dishes, it can also help you burn up to 100 calories per meal, said Dietician Lauren Minchen, RD.
Cumin
Adding a teaspoon of this little nifty spice to one of your meals per day can help you burn a lot of body fat, as found in a study conducted on overweight women. Try adding this to your soups, stews, dressings, dips, rubs, marinades, and baked goods.
Black Pepper
Black pepper contains some fat-burning properties. Barbara Mendez, RPH, MS, an integrative nutritionist in New York City, said that it can block the formation of new fat cells, thus preventing weight gain. This spice can pretty much be good for anything you eat.
Dandelions
While others might think of it as just a weed, dandelions possess some weight loss benefits as well, said Prevention. It helps reduce bloating while increasing the intake of vitamins such as A, C and E, and minerals such as potassium and iron.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is also shown to be helpful in balancing blood sugar, curbing cravings and helping you feel full longer than you usually do. This fragrant spice can be added to marinades for meat, plain yogurt, cottage cheese and your favorite tea.