When you hear the phrase “thermogenic foods,” you probably think of spicy, hot foods that heat up the body and often leave an unpleasant burning sensation in the mouth. Hot spices and peppers are thermogenic foods that help boost the metabolism, but there are many other foods that offer thermogenic benefits that may not come to mind. 
Thermogenesis is the process of heat production in organisms. All foods are thermogenic if we consider how the body must use energy to digest them. However, not all foods are created equal where thermogenesis is concerned. The best thermogenic foods require more energy to digest them than what they provide, thus they increase metabolism and cause the body to burn more calories. Brilliant, who knew you could burn calories while you eat!
Here’s a break down of the top thermogenic foods that can help turn your body into a fat burning machine:
1. Turkey: With a protein content as high as 94%, turkey is an excellent protein source. Adding more protein rich meals to your diet can potentially boost your metabolism by 30%. Carbohydrate heavy meals will only boost metabolism by a mere 4%. So pass on the French fries and load up on a lean protein source instead!
2. Hot Peppers: Proven effective in raising the metabolism, hot peppers such as cayenne and chili contain capsaicinoids that when either enjoyed in spicy foods or in supplement form, can help to burn fat. Ignite Maxx™ is CHI’s latest, all-natural dietary supplement that contains red pepper extract, to help you burn up to 600 calories per day and up to 12 times more calories during exercise!
3. Cabbage: Cabbage is not only an effective thermogenic food but studies show that when eaten regularly, cabbage can also reduce a person’s chances of developing colon cancer. Both cabbage and brussel sprouts are shown to improve metabolic function in people who eat them regularly.
4. Green Tea: Studies show the green tea inhibits the action of amylase, a primary digestive enzyme of carbohydrates, to help move food through the digestive system, raising the metabolism and burning more calories.
5. Fish: Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids found in salmon, mackerel, tuna and other fatty fish, can increase the metabolic rate, rid the body of excess fluids and increase energy levels. A study in Australia determined that a group eating salmon and tuna lost 22% more weight than a group who did not.
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