Body metabolism can be best defined as all biological processes that take place within the body. These processes include how fast or slow the body takes to digest foods or convert fats into energy to support basic body functions. Although a natural biological process, factors such as sex, genes, age, hormones, activity level and body size among others do determine ones metabolic rates. The amount of energy needed for the body to carry out rudimentary tasks, i.e. pumping blood, breathing, hormone secretion or even walking among other functions determine how high or low metabolic rates will be. Athletes and other active persons have respiration rates that are higher than those who spend most of their days seated or doing nothing.

Higher metabolic rates facilitate development of health bodies and improved immunity. Through the increased metabolism, the body is capable of producing enough energy to keep internal processes and organs going, and still facilitate breakdown of fats to produce energy. Although simple body exercises do increase metabolism, there are also supplements and foods that can help with just that and attain similar results. Some of the foods that can help increase body metabolism include:

Chili Pepper

Almost all chili peppers are rich in capsaicin, a compound that has a fiery flavor. Capsaicin triggers increased body metabolic rates that are so intense that body temperature increased almost immediately. The best thing about using chili pepper to increase metabolism is that, the process remains high for several hours until capsaicin is digested or removed from the body.

“Chile peppers may help boost your calorie burn. Research shows capsaicin, an antioxidant that also makes chile peppers spicy, can increase your metabolic rate slightly. Here are three ways to add more chile peppers to your diet.” – EatingWell.com

This makes chili a great remedy for those seeking to lose some weight.

Whey Proteins

The body requires lots of energy to digest whey proteins. This triggers body metabolic rates to increase so as to supplement the energy required for digestion. These proteins are mostly considered thermic, as they tend to accelerate metabolism when taken. In addition to this, whey proteins contain little to no calories, meaning the body has to look for alternative energy sources for digestion to be possible.

Beans

Beans are amongst the hardest foods the human digestive system has to digest. This is because beans contain complex protein concentrates that require humongous amounts of calories/energy to be digested. Interestingly, calorie count in beans is almost zero, meaning the body has to source for energy elsewhere. This forces the body to respire fats for energy production, which in turn increases body metabolism double fold.

Whole Foods

Unprocessed foods take longer to digest than processed foods. The body uses lots of energy to digest whole cereals, brown bread or rice than it does on white bread. As mentioned above, digesting unprocessed foods needs more energy to digest, and this is only possible if the body increases its metabolic rates.

Foods Rich in Iron

Iron deficiency can be a major cause of reduced metabolic rates, anemia and fatigue among other conditions. This is because iron is essentially needed for the manufacture of red blood cells and plasma, and helps transport oxygen to body tissues and organs. Eating foods that are rich in iron such as liver, fish, beef oysters, spinach and pumpkin seeds among others can boost iron content in the body. By supplementing iron into the body, respiration rates will be increased as oxygen is delivered to target organs for energy production.

These are just a few foods that can help increase the body’s metabolic rate for a healthier, stronger body. The next time you shop for food supplies, consider including some if not all of the foods discussed above, and you will never regret it.