Diet has a strong influence on the body's ability to burn fat. In fact, there are foods that better stimulate this process.
Read on to learn more about foods that can burn fat.
The 6 best foods for burning fat
Almonds
A study of obese adults found that consuming about a quarter cup of almonds for 6 months resulted in 62% more weight loss.
Additionally, a 2015 study showed that eating just 1.5 grams of almonds per day led to a reduction in gastric and bone fat.
For greater effect, eat almonds before exercising: The amino acid L-arginine (present in almonds) can help you burn more fat and carbohydrates.
Sweet potato
Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients and can help you burn fat. In fact, sweet potatoes are rich in fiber and have a low glycemic index, which means they are absorbed slowly and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
They are also rich in carotenoids, powerful antioxidants that help stabilize blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance, which prevents calories from being converted to fat.
Additionally, its high vitamin profile (especially A, C and B6) provides more energy to burn calories during exercise.
Salmon
The equation is simple: protein builds muscle. More muscle = more fat burned. Salmon is a great food for this because it has been shown to be effective in turning off fat genes.
Fish is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which burn fat and block its storage.
So, add two servings to your diet each week to get the recommended amount of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Green Tea
For a morning fuel for burn fat, swap coffee for green tea. Studies show that people who drank four to five cups of green tea daily and worked out for 25 minutes lost more fat than people who didn't drink it.
What makes this drink so powerful? It contains catechins and antioxidants that boost metabolism, increase the rate at which fat is released from cells (especially gastric fat), and increase the liver's ability to burn fat.
Pepper
Capsaicin, a substance found in chili peppers, burns belly fat, suppresses appetite and increases the body's ability to convert food into energy.
Daily consumption of capsaicin increases abdominal fat loss, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Additionally, another study conducted by Canadian researchers found that men who consumed spicy foods consumed 200 fewer calories in subsequent meals than those who did not.
Whole grains
Not all carbohydrates turn into fat. Eating whole grains can have the opposite effect.
In fact, studies show that people who ate at least three servings of whole grains (like oats, quinoa, and brown rice) a day had 10% less fat than people who ate the same amount of calories from processed white carbs.
This is due to the high fiber present in whole grains and the slower digestion properties.
