Losing weight is not an easy task. Even after we have managed to shed the extra pounds, we have to work hard to maintain the new weight. That’s why many nutritionists and clinical dietitians recommend a general change in lifestyle, one that can be sustained (instead of a temporary killer diet). And how do we adopt a new and healthy menu without feeling like we’re giving up taste? There are all kinds of ways to upgrade the daily menu without adding too many calories to it – and one of the methods recommended by dietitians will surprise you with its simplicity – just add spices.
Spices not only add a lot of flavor with high nutritional value and low calories – some of them are also super healthy and even considered super foods. And if all this was not enough – then studies show that there are spices that even help to lose weight. Here are some spices that have been scientifically proven to contribute to weight loss:
Although nowadays we are used to using mustard mainly as a spread, but mustard seeds have been used by humans for seasoning for thousands of years (!). The pungent taste of mustard seeds upgrades any dish, but their benefits are not only limited to a unique taste. Mustard seeds are low in calories (compared to other spices/spreads), but have high nutritional value – they contain omega 3, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, calcium, dietary fiber and more. Mustard seeds also contain antioxidants that help prevent diseases and delay aging processes in the body.
Mustard seeds (as well as the spread) can replace spreads and other spices with a high caloric value, thus helping to maintain weight without feeling like you are compromising on taste. In addition, the minerals in it help improve metabolism, which is important for weight loss and fat burning. It is understood that only the consumption of mustard seeds will not lead to weight loss, but in combination with a balanced menu and physical activity, they are definitely an excellent addition that helps those who are looking to put together a healthy, low-calorie and tasty menu.
The spice with its unique taste is suitable for so many foods (and drinks!) – and how fun it is that it’s also super healthy. Its sweet taste has made cinnamon a common spice in dieters’ menus, which helps reduce sugar consumption. But it turns out that it not only contributes to weight maintenance indirectly, it also does so directly. From a study published in 2017 by researchers from the University of Michigan, it appears that an organic compound called cinnamaldehyde (which gives cinnamon its unique taste and flavor) helps burn fat. It turns out that cinnamaldehyde can help thermogenesis, a process in which heat is produced in the body by burning calories. This process can help with weight loss. And if all this is not enough, then cinnamon also has health benefits, including reducing cholesterol levels, sugar and blood fats (triglycerides).
You use it for almost every food, but how many of you know that black pepper can also help you lose weight? Besides its spicy and unique taste, black pepper also contains piperine, a compound that not only gives it its taste, but also contributes to preventing the formation of new fat cells in the body.
Did you know that there is a superstar in your spice drawer? Although in Israeli cuisine it is used quite a bit in the kitchen, in recent years quite a bit of hype has been built around it in the rest of the world as well. It is considered one of the healthiest spices mainly due to the active substance in it – curcumin. Studies have shown various health benefits of curcumin, including alleviating problems in the digestive system, alleviating joint pain, reducing cholesterol levels and also aiding fat digestion, which definitely helps maintain weight. Turmeric has a high nutritional value and a low caloric value, so it is a spice that should definitely be used a lot, both if you are interested in proper nutrition and if you are interested in losing weight.
Hot pepper has been studied quite a bit in the scientific community and there is no doubt that it has quite a few health benefits. Since it increases body heat, it is able to speed up metabolism and even reduce appetite – benefits that are especially useful for those who want to maintain weight. In addition, it was found that capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot pepper gives it anti-inflammatory, antibacterial benefits and helps fight cancer and prevent heart disease – and also prolong life. Some studies have even shown that consuming hot pepper can also help improve sleep, which is important for maintaining health and weight.