Boosting your metabolic rate can help you lose body fat.
However, most “fat-burning” supplements on the market are either unsafe, ineffective, or both.
Fortunately, several natural foods and beverages have been shown to increase your metabolism and promote fat loss.
Lose weight
Gain muscles
Eat healthy
Explore new cuisinesHere are 11 healthy foods that help you burn fat.
1. Fatty fish
Fatty fish is delicious and incredibly good for you.
Salmon, herring, sardines, mackerel, and other oily fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and decrease heart disease risk.
In addition, omega-3 fatty acids may help you lose body fat.
In a six-week controlled study of 44 adults, those who took fish oil supplements lost an average of 1.1 pounds (0.5 kilograms) of fat and experienced a drop in cortisol, a stress hormone that’s associated with fat storage.
What’s more, fish is an excellent source of high-quality protein. Digesting protein leads to greater feelings of fullness and increases metabolic rate significantly more than digesting fat or carbs.
To boost fat loss and protect heart health, include a minimum of 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of fatty fish in your diet at least twice a week.
Summary: Fatty fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that may promote fat loss. Fish is also rich in protein, which helps you feel full and boosts metabolic rate during digestion.
2. MCT oil
MCT oil is made by extracting MCTs from palm oil. It is available online and at natural grocery stores.
MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, which are a type of fat that’s metabolized differently than the long-chain fatty acids found in most foods.
Due to their shorter length, MCTs are rapidly absorbed by the body and go straight to the liver, where they can be used immediately for energy or converted into ketones for use as an alternative fuel source.
Medium-chain triglycerides have been shown to increase metabolic rate in several studies.
One study in eight healthy men found adding 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 grams) of MCTs per day to the men’s usual diets increased their metabolic rate by 5% over 24 hours, meaning they burned an average of 120 extra calories per day.
In addition, MCTs may reduce hunger and promote better retention of muscle mass during weight loss.
Replacing some of the fat in your diet with 2 tablespoons of MCT oil per day may optimize fat burning.
However, it’s best to start with 1 teaspoon daily and gradually increase the dosage to minimize potential digestive side effects like cramping, nausea, and diarrhea.
Summary: MCTs are rapidly absorbed for immediate use as an energy source. MCT oil may increase fat burning, decrease hunger and protect muscle mass during weight loss.
3. Coffee
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide.
It’s a great source of caffeine, which can enhance mood and improve mental and physical performance.
Moreover, it can help you burn fat.
In a small study including nine people, those who took caffeine an hour before exercise burned nearly twice as much fat and were able to exercise 17% longer than the non-caffeine group.
Research has shown that caffeine increases metabolic rate by an impressive 3–13%, depending on the amount consumed and individual response.
In one study, people took 100 mg of caffeine every two hours for 12 hours. Lean adults burned an average of 150 extra calories and formerly obese adults burned 79 extra calories during the study period.
To get the fat-burning benefits of caffeine without the potential side effects, such as anxiousness or insomnia, aim for 100–400 mg per day. This is the amount found in about 1–4 cups of coffee, depending on its strength.
Summary: Coffee contains caffeine, which has been shown to improve mental and physical performance, in addition to boosting metabolism.
4. Eggs
Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse.
Although egg yolks used to be avoided due to their high cholesterol content, whole eggs have been shown to help protect heart health in those at increased risk of disease.
Additionally, eggs are a killer weight-loss food.
Studies have shown that egg-based breakfasts reduce hunger and promote feelings of fullness for several hours in overweight and obese individuals.
In a controlled eight-week study in 21 men, those who ate three eggs for breakfast consumed 400 fewer calories per day and had a 16% greater reduction in body fat, compared to the group who ate a bagel breakfast.
Eggs are also a great source of high-quality protein, which increases metabolic rate by about 20–35% for several hours after eating, based on several studies.
One of the reasons eggs are so filling may be due to the boost in calorie burning that occurs during protein digestion.
Eating three eggs several times a week can help you burn fat while keeping you full and satisfied.
Summary: Eggs are a high-protein food that may help reduce hunger, increase fullness, boost fat burning and protect heart health.
5. Green tea
Green tea is an excellent beverage choice for good health.
Studies suggest that it may help reduce heart disease risk and protect against certain types of cancer.
In addition to providing a moderate amount of caffeine, green tea is an excellent source of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant that promotes fat burning and the loss of belly fat.
In a study of 12 healthy men, fat burning during bicycling increased by 17% in those who took green tea extract, compared to those who took a placebo.
On the other hand, some studies have found that green tea or green tea extract has little to no effect on metabolism or weight loss.
Given the difference in study outcomes, green tea’s effects likely vary from person to person and may also depend on the amount consumed.
Drinking up to four cups of green tea daily may provide several health benefits, including potentially increasing the number of calories you burn.
Summary: Green tea contains caffeine and EGCG, both of which may boost metabolism, promote weight loss, protect heart health and reduce the risk of cancer.
6. Whey protein
Whey protein is pretty impressive.
It’s been shown to promote muscle growth when combined with exercise and may help preserve muscle during weight loss.
In addition, whey protein seems to be even more effective at suppressing appetite than other protein sources.
This is because it stimulates the release of “fullness hormones,” such as PYY and GLP-1, to a greater extent.
One study had 22 men consume different protein drinks on four separate days. They experienced significantly lower hunger levels and ate fewer calories at the next meal after drinking the whey protein drink, compared to the other protein drinks.
Moreover, whey appears to boost fat burning and promote weight loss in lean people and those who are overweight or obese.
In one study of 23 healthy adults, a whey protein meal was found to increase metabolic rate and fat burning more than casein or soy protein meals.
A whey protein shake is a quick meal or snack option that promotes fat loss and may help improve your body composition.
Summary: Whey protein appears to increase muscle growth, reduce appetite, increase fullness and boost metabolism more effectively than other protein sources.
7. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an ancient folk remedy with evidence-based health benefits.
It’s been credited with reducing appetite and lowering blood sugar and insulin levels in people with diabetes.
What’s more, vinegar’s main component, acetic acid, has been found to increase fat burning and reduce belly fat storage in several animal studies.
Although there isn’t much research on vinegar’s effect on fat loss in humans, the results from one study are pretty encouraging.
In this study, 144 obese men who added 2 tablespoons of vinegar to their usual diets every day for 12 weeks lost 3.7 pounds (1.7 kilograms) and experienced a 0.9% reduction in body fat.
Including apple cider vinegar in your diet may help you lose body fat. Start with 1 teaspoon per day diluted in water and gradually work up to 1–2 tablespoons per day to minimize potential digestive discomfort.
Summary: Apple cider vinegar may help suppress appetite, promote loss of belly fat and reduce blood sugar and insulin levels.
8. Chili peppers
Chili peppers do more than add heat to your food.
Their powerful antioxidants may reduce inflammation and help protect your cells from damage.
In addition, research suggests that one antioxidant in chili peppers called capsaicin may help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
It does this by promoting fullness and preventing overeating.
What’s more, this compound may also help you burn more calories and lose body fat.
In a study of 19 healthy adults, when calorie intake was restricted by 20%, capsaicin was found to counteract the slowdown in metabolic rate that typically occurs with decreased calorie intake.
One large review of 20 studies concluded that taking capsaicin helps reduce appetite and can increase the number of calories you burn by about 50 calories per day.
Consider eating chili peppers or using powdered cayenne pepper to spice up your meals several times a week.
Summary: Compounds in cayenne pepper has been found to reduce inflammation, help control hunger and boost metabolic rate.
9. Oolong tea
Oolong tea is one of the healthiest beverages you can drink.
Although it receives less press than green tea, it has many of the same health benefits, thanks to its content of caffeine and catechins.
A review of several studies found that the combination of catechins and caffeine in tea increased calorie burning by an impressive 102 calories per day, on average.
Small studies in men and women suggest that drinking oolong tea increases metabolic rate and promotes weight loss. What’s more, one study found that oolong tea increased calorie burning twice as much as green tea did.
Drinking a few cups of green tea, oolong tea, or a combination of the two regularly may promote fat loss and provide other beneficial health effects.
Summary: Oolong tea contains caffeine and catechins, both of which have been found to increase metabolic rate and promote fat loss.
10. Full-fat Greek yogurt
Full-fat Greek yogurt is extremely nutritious.
First, it’s an excellent source of protein, potassium, and calcium.
Research suggests that high-protein dairy products can boost fat loss, protect muscle during weight loss and help you feel full and satisfied.
Also, yogurt that contains probiotics can help keep your gut healthy and may reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as constipation and bloating.
Full-fat Greek yogurt also contains conjugated linoleic acid, which seems to promote weight loss and fat burning in overweight and obese people, according to research that includes a large review of 18 studies.
Eating Greek yogurt regularly may provide several health benefits. But make sure to choose plain, full-fat Greek yogurt, as non-fat and low-fat dairy products contain little to no conjugated linoleic acid.
Summary: Full-fat Greek yogurt may increase fat burning, reduce appetite, protect muscle mass during weight loss and improve gut health.
11. Olive oil
Olive oil is one of the healthiest fats on earth.
Olive oil has been shown to lower triglycerides, increase HDL cholesterol and stimulate the release of GLP-1, one of the hormones that helps keep you full.
What’s more, some studies have shown that olive oil may boost metabolic rate and promote fat loss.
In a small study of 12 postmenopausal women with abdominal obesity, eating extra virgin olive oil as part of a meal significantly increased the number of calories the women burned for several hours.
To incorporate olive oil into your daily diet, drizzle a couple of tablespoons on your salad or add it to cooked food.
Summary: Olive oil appears to reduce the risk of heart disease, promote feelings of fullness and boost metabolic rate.
Summary
Despite what certain supplement manufacturers may suggest, there isn’t a safe “magic pill” that can help you burn hundreds of extra calories per day.
However, several foods and beverages may modestly increase your metabolic rate, in addition to providing other health benefits.
Including several of them in your daily diet may have effects that ultimately lead to fat loss and better overall health.
