The 10 Best Herbs & Spices to Speed Up Weight Loss & Burn Belly Fat

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To speed up weight loss and burn belly fat faster, add spices and herbs to your diet. They will not only add flavor to plain food like chicken or fish dishes but also boost your immune system, fight deseases, and, importantly, charge up your metabolism. What are the best spices for weight loss? Check the top 10 herbs and spices for weight loss.

Good things come in small packages. Sometimes we overlook the huge benefits herbs and spices provide for weight loss. All those little spices and herbs are packed with numerous vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes that not only burn belly fat but also maintain your overall well-being.

Most spices and herbs mentioned below have been used for remedies throughout the world for centuries. What can spices do for you?

Boost metabolic rate.
Keep you satiated.
Enhance the taste of normally plain healthy foods.
Provide nutrients for your body.
Provide antioxidants.
Oxidize fat tissue.

You are more likely to stick to a diet regimen if you find it delicious. So don’t forget to add extra flavor to your salads, chicken or fish dishes with some amazing and healthy spices mentioned below.

Ginseng

Ginseng is a herb with an amazing ability to boost energy and increase metabolism. It grows in cooler regions such as China, Bhutan, North America, Korea, and Eastern Siberia. Health benefits of ginseng include the following:

Regulates blood sugar levels.
Reduces stress.
Prevents obesity.
Helps prevent heart disease.

To make tea, add 3 tablespoons of ginseng extracts to 500ml of boiling water, then add a tablespoon of lime juice. Drink it at least once every day.

Ginger

Ginger tea is an effective natural home remedy. It helps in digestion, nausea and stomach upset. It also lowers blood cholesterol levels.

Ginger can act as a natural appetite suppressant and make you feel full sooner, which helps you to lose weight. Ginger is also a thermogenic spice (it raises body temperature), that increases metabolic rate.

You can either add some julienned ginger in your food or make ginger tea. The recipe is easy. Steep some pieces of ginger root in boiling water for 10 minutes. Add lemon and honey for better flavor.

Cayenne

Cayenne peppers contain a compound called Capsaicin that helps fight obesity by suppressing your appetite. It oxidizes fat tissue and reduces accumulation of fat in your body.

Capsaicin is a thermogenic substance. It helps to boost metabolism and reduce fat storage. Cayenne peppers also suppress appetite and curb cravings.

Turmeric

The favourite spice for traditional Asian food is also known for its medical benefits in Chinese medicine.

Curcumin is the active ingredient of turmeric that accounts for its beneficial effects. Curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory properties and also decreases fat tissue formation.

Curcumin is also beneficial for the treatment and prevention of obesity-related chronic diseases like insulin resistance, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and other inflammatory symptoms associated with obesity and metabolic disorders.

Cumin

This spice has a long history of medical use and was known to improve memory, relieve stress and boost immune system. Cumin not only helps in digestion but it also lowers blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

A study was conducted to find out the effects of cumin on lipid profile of overweight and obese women. According to the study, cholesterol levels, weight, and waist circumference reduced significantly in the experimental group that had 3 grams of cumin powder daily for 3 months.

Cardamom

Cardamom is also a popular herb used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is also a thermogenic herb that speeds up your metabolism and helps in weight loss. Cardamom is proven to prevent obesity and improve glucose intolerance.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon offers amazing benefits for blood sugar regulation, proving to be an ideal seasoning for people with diabetes or prediabetes. Cinnamon not only reduces blood sugar levels but also improves blood cholesterol levels. It protects against heart disease and speeds up metabolism. This wonderful spice possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties as well.

Garlic

Adding fresh garlic to food not only improves the taste, but it also helps the body to metabolize carbohydrates and fats. Studies show that garlic can prevent cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, including atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis, hypertension and diabetes.

Garlic intake is also shown to help control blood sugar levels as well as fight infections and improve cholesterol levels.

Mustard

The mustard plant belongs to the family of broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Mustard seeds are also a thermogenic spice. Mustard increases body temperature and helps you burn more calories naturally.

Like all spices, mustard boosts metabolism. In fact, just 3/5 teaspoon of mustard seeds daily can burn extra 45 calories per hour. Mustard contains many nutrients: selenium, fiber, protein, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, iron and calcium. It provides only 30 calories in two teaspoons.

Dandelion

Dandelion has a diuretic effect. It contains lots of antioxidants such as vitamin A, C, and D, and significant amounts of zinc, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Dandelion improves digestion by maintaining bile production and detoxifying the liver.

Dandelion is also an appetite suppressant. Drinking dandelion tea before meals decreases your appetite and makes you feel full sooner.

About the author: Amanda Bentley has more than five years of experience in the food and beverage industry. Currently she works at Qavashop.com, an online store for all the “coffee aficionados” located in Saudi Arabia.