6. Spirulina
Spirulina is a micro-algae superfood that can help burn fat easily.
Its high protein as well as all eight essential amino acid content helps build lean muscle and even helps your body burn more calories and fat throughout the day. When used in conjunction with a workout, it can increase stamina and the amount of fat you burn.
It is low in calories and can even reduce appetite to control weight gain.
A 2010 study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise examined the effects of spirulina supplementation on subjects during an exhaustive cardiovascular exercise session. The study reports that spirulina supplementation induced a significant increase in exercise performance, fat oxidation, and GSH concentration and attenuated the exercise-induced increase in lipid per oxidation.
This superfood also has immune-boosting, cancer-fighting, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties, thanks to its rich nutritional profile.
You can easily find spirulina in most health food stores in the form of a green powder. Add 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of this power in your juices and smoothies. You can also take it in pill form, but only after consulting your doctor for proper dosage and suitability.
Note: Spirulina is not suitable for people suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure, gout and kidney stones.
7. Green Apples
Green apples are a great fat-burning food due to their high soluble fiber, vitamin C and a higher antioxidant content.
What makes this fruit all the more effective for weight loss is the presence of pectin in it, a soluble fiber that digests slowly but provides bulk. Pectin restricts the amount of fat your cells can absorb.
Green apples also have a higher content of polyphenol compounds that help manage fat cells in the body.
Plus, apples are great for boosting your metabolism which in turn helps burn fat.
Enjoy 1 green apple daily. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the skin of apples before eating them. If you don’t have green apples, you can still enjoy red apples. They also improve your metabolism and help keep you feeling full for longer.
8. Broccoli
Broccoli is one of those rare vegetables that help in fat-burning process in the body.
It is packed with phytochemicals that accelerate the breakdown of fat in the cells, thus getting the body into a fat burning state instead of storing fat.
Additionally, it is rich in vitamins C, A, K, B6 and B12; magnesium; folate; and dietary fiber which help in burning fat. This cruciferous vegetable also helps fight inflammation, a major factor that contributes to weight loss resistance in the body.
Include 1 to 1 ½ cups of raw or cooked broccoli in your regular diet, 4 to 5 times a week.
9. Red Grapes
Eating red grapes daily can also accelerate the fat burning process of your body.
The skin of red grapes contains a good amount of resveratrol antioxidant that stimulates enzymes that control important functions like aging, DNA repair and fat production. In fact, it helps increase your resistance to muscle fatigue.
A 2014 study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism analyzed the effects of a resveratrol supplement on muscle metabolism. Experts found that resveratrol regulates energy expenditure through increased skeletal muscle SIRT1 and AMPK expression in people with type 2 diabetes, thus leading to exercise-mimetic effects.
Plus, red grapes are rich in ellagic acid that boosts the metabolism of fatty acids and inhibits the growth of existing and new fat cells. They also contain fiber that offers a satiating effect to curb your appetite.
Another bonus point is that red grapes are a moderate source of calories, making them just perfect for any weight loss diet.
Eat a cup of fresh red grapes like a snack, or include them in smoothies, juice and salad recipes.
10. Alfalfa
Another fat burning superfood is alfalfa. This herb contains certain compounds known as sympathomimetics and xanthine that increase the body’s basal metabolic rate. This in turn accelerates the burning of fat and calories.
It is an extremely low glycemic food, thus it does not spike blood sugar when consumed. Sudden spike in blood sugar releases insulin, a hormone that promotes fat storage.
Plus, it works as a natural diuretic to promote detoxification and reduce water weight through sweating and urination.
This superfood is also rich in dietary fiber that keeps you feeling full for longer.
You can add alfalfa leaves or sprouts to sandwiches, wraps and soups to help your body burn more fat.
Resources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16579728
http://ajpendo.physiology.org/content/299/2/E266.full
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090419170112.htm
http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v39/n6/full/ijo201523a.html
http://www.nature.com/nrm/journal/v13/n4/full/nrm3311.html
http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FBJN%2FBJN90_03%2FS0007114503001715a.pdf&code=310894a7a0c9f86714e1b68b258da7cd
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17906192
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/87/3/778.long
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20372175
http://jhs.pharm.or.jp/data/51%282%29/51_233.pdf
http://www.metabolismjournal.com/article/S0026-0495(12)00118-7/abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20010119
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23918588
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630131840.htm
http://jn.nutrition.org/content/133/11/3443.full