The #1 Best Drink To Boost Your Metabolism, Says Dietitian
The summer is coming to an end, and it's time to cozy up inside with your favorite drink. And although pumpkin spice lattes have made their beloved return, these aren't always the healthiest options.
If you're looking for some healthy beverage choices this fall, it may be a good idea to consider drinks that can help boost your metabolism. The metabolic process helps you convert the food and drinks you consume into energy, so caring for it can lead to more physical energy, weight loss, and better overall health.
According to Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, founder of NutritionStarringYOU.com and author of The Everything Easy Pre-Diabetes Cookbook, the #1 best drink to boost your metabolism is green tea.
"Sipping green tea in the evening instead of snacking, or trading in your latte for a cup of iced or hot green tea will lower your calorie intake and help you burn a few extra," says Pincus.
Read on to learn more about how green tea helps boost your metabolism, and for more healthy eating tips straight to your inbox, sign up for the Eat This, Not That newsletter!
Metabolism-boosting benefits of green tea
Its powerful antioxidants are linked to increased calorie burn
"This warming (or cooling) beverage serves a dual purpose. Not only is it full of antioxidants and other healthy phytochemicals, but it has the benefit of slightly increasing your metabolism," says Pincus.
Many of green tea's metabolism benefits come from its catechins, which are powerful antioxidants belonging to the flavonoid family that has been known to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers.
Among one of the most powerful catechins in green tea is EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallate. EGCG not only has cancer-fighting properties but it has also been shown to help boost your metabolism as well.
According to a report published in The Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, EGCG has the ability to increase thermogenesis, an important part of the metabolic where our bodies heat up and burn calories.
The EGCG in green tea has also been proven to increase fat oxidation and help break down fatty acids more easily in some patients.
It reduces your risk of metabolic syndrome
High blood pressure, raised cholesterol, and high blood sugar are all classified as risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. This group of factors is known as metabolic syndrome, and according to a handful of studies, green tea has been known to help in reducing this syndrome.
A study of obese Japanese men and women showed that regular consumption of green tea extract reduced blood pressure levels, lowered cholesterol, and decreased body fat.
And another study looked at a Chinese adult population and found that consumption of at least half a cup of green tea per day was associated with significant prevention of high blood pressure.
Drinking green tea to boost metabolism
Now that we know the amazing metabolism-boosting benefits of green tea, it's time to drink up!
"Just remember that adding a lot of sugar to sweeten it will defeat the purpose," says Pincus, "so try different flavors like pomegranate or blueberry green tea that will naturally taste a bit sweeter than regular green tea."
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