Foods That Speed Up Your Metabolism Fact Or Fantasy?
I am sure you have seen the recommendation if you truly want to lose weight
, change to metabolism boosting foods. I have even acted upon this suggestion and changed to the foods suggested, and yes, they do seem tomake a difference. But, will these foods really, actually speed up your metabolism?
Let me say quite clearly, right here, that I am neither a nutritionist, doctor or weight loss expert. I am just someone who is interested and fascinated by these things and the more I learn about metabolism "speeding up" and "slowing down" the more I have a problem with this notion.
Metabolism is the process which changes the food we consume into energy. (To me, that means our digestive system is an integral part of metabolism). We need energy to survive. Everything we do requires energy. Even when we are asleep we are consuming energy. It is the job of our metabolism to create this energy. I have no problem understanding the theory of metabolism and how it works. But just look at these examples and you will understand when I say it doesnt always appear logical.
1)We are told that the more exercise we do the more our metabolism will speed up.
Now, this seems perfectly logical to me because when we exercise our hearts go faster and we breathe faster etc. So, to me it figures that if my heart and lungs have speeded up then my whole body and a major function like metabolism would speed up too.
2)It appears that our metabolism slows as we age because we have less muscle and become less active, and as a result of our metabolism slowing down we gain excess weight.
Now here, I have a problem. If we assume that we are still consuming the same volume of food as we age, it appears to me that the weight gain is not the result of my metabolism slowing down. On the contrary, it seems to me that my metabolic rate is still the same and creating the same amount of energy. It is my energy needs which has decreased and because I no longer utilise all the energy supplied, my body has to store it as fat.
Logic tells me that if my metabolism really slowed down, it would not be able to process as much food as before. In which case, surely my appetite would have to decrease. My belief is that my metabolism keeps going at the same rate it is my energy needs which have reduced. I get fat because I am not using all the energy produced.
3)It is said that if we consume hot, spicy foods our metabolism will speed up.
This one seems logical. Hot spicy foods like cayenne pepper and chillies have a chemical within them that has a thermogenic (heating up) influence on our bodies. Just like when we exercise this will cause our heart rate to increase and in turn this makes our metabolism speed up.
4)We are told that if we eat specific foods they will boost our metabolism. For example foods high in fibre take longer to digest, and so will speed up your metabolism.
Perhaps its me, but doesnt this just mean it will take longer for my body to turn this food to energy? Thats not speeding up our metabolism, thats simply making our digestion work harder.
Its true that as a result, I will consume more energy digesting and metabolising these foods, which is a good thing, but it is not because this food has magically boosted my metabolism!
I could go on, but I am sure you understand what I mean. Yes, consuming certain foods will force your digestive system and metabolism work harder and consume more energy, but surely then, these are foods that boost your metabolism, not foods that speed up your metabolism.
by: Peter Ford
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