What you eat and how much you eat has a significance on whether you will lose or gain weight. What you might not know is that there are several herbs and spices available that help you to lose or gain weight. Research suggests that certain spices and herbs add flavor to food without adding any extra calories, sodium, sugar, or other junk. This is something critical that you have to understand when you are trying to lose weight. When you want to drop some kilos, it is tempting to look for help everywhere you can. If your thoughts turn to herbal remedies or supplements, it is important to keep in mind that you should choose herbal weight loss products that have the necessary certifications to prove that they do not hurt your body.
How Herbs and Spices are used?
The herbs as well as the spices have a lot of benefits and there is minimal risk involved when they are used as a flavouring agent for the foods. You should not overuse them. You should limit yourself to consuming not more than 14 grams (1 tablespoon) a day by mixing them with nutrient-rich food. This will help you lose a substantial amount of weight. If you are taking herbal supplements, you should stick to the recommended dosages.
Foods that help you Lose Weight
The foods that help you lose weight are:
- Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin that helps the body to burn fat by increasing the heat in your body which in turn boosts metabolism. Apart from this, it also has other health benefits that include helping to fight Alzheimer’s disease to keep the hormone level in check during periods. You can add some turmeric to stews or soups or even sprinkle it over nuts and roasted veggies.
- Cinnamon
This is made from the inner bark of the cinnamon trees and is loaded with antioxidants. This has a range of benefits and balances the blood sugar levels of the individuals by curbing sugar cravings and keeping them full for a longer time. This has a compound that is similar to insulin and assists in the transfer of sugar from the bloodstream to the cells. This also slows down the breakdown of the carbs by reducing the amount of digestive enzymes. You can sprinkle some oatmeal in oatmeal, plain yogurt cottage cheese, or tea.
- Fenugreek
This is made from a legume plant. Several studies have reported that fenugreek can help control the appetite and reduce the consumption of food thereby resulting in weight loss. There are herbal weight loss products that have fenugreek as an ingredient.
- Cayenne Pepper
This contains a compound that is called capsaicin. This gives the cayenne pepper its spiciness and provides several health benefits. It raises the body temperature thereby helping to boost the metabolism and burning more calories. A report has suggested that if you eat a meal that contains capsaicin decreases the levels of ghrelin which is a hormone that increases hunger. You can sprinkle cayenne on roasted nuts, scrambled eggs, soups or homemade dressings or dips.
- Cumin
This is from the seeds of the flowering plant Cuminium cyminium which is a part of the parsley family. It has a nutty flavour and has several health benefits including the speeding of weight loss and fat burning. A recent study suggests that one tablespoon of cumin added to one of the meals per day can help in burning three times more body fat. You can try it with stews, soups, dressings, stir-fries, deeps, marinades, rubs, and other savory baked foods.
- Ginger
This is the main stem of the blooming ginger plant that is commonly used in traditional medicine as a natural cure for various ailments. This helps in controlling the blood sugar levels and preventing the spike in the glucose levels after you have a carb-rich meal or sugar. This has the same fat-burning properties as turmeric or cayenne. You can grate ginger into stir-fries, fruit salad, tea, or baked fish.
- Oregano
This is a perennial herb that is related to thyme, mint, sage, basil, and rosemary. It contains carvacrol. This is the primary substance that helps in weight loss. It directly affects some genes and proteins that regulate fat synthesis in the body.
- Garlic
This is added as a flavour-inducing ingredient in most dishes and has fat-burning properties. This has a pungent flavor that makes the food tastier, helps in body fat burning, boosts metabolism, and increases immunity.
Conclusion
Apart from adding some extra flavor to your favorite foods, the herbs and spices also increase the metabolism and enhance the fat-burning process by promoting feelings of fullness. If you diversify your spice cabinet, that will help in weight loss with minimal effort. You should also combine the herbs with a well-rounded, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle to promote weight loss. The keto ayurvedic medicine can also prove to be beneficial.