Your Body Temperature Could Be Making You Fat
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If you’re struggling to lose weight, it may be because you have a handicap you don’t even know about.
People who are obese seem to have lower core body temperatures during the day, a new study in the journal Chronobiology International co-authored by Pietro Cortelli, MD, Ph.D suggests. This lower body temperature makes it harder for them to burn off calories efficiently–a problem researchers are calling “a thermogenic handicap.”
While obese and healthy-weight people have similar body temperatures at night, the obese subjects had significantly lower core body temperatures during the day than their leaner peers, the study found. This lower core temperature was a mere 0.35 degrees celsius (about 0.63 degrees Fahrenheit), but even that small difference was enough to add up to 4.5 pounds of extra body weight every year, according to the journal editors.
Fortunately, some foods can actually boost core temperature–and help burn fat. Crank up the weight loss with these essential picks, compliments of the new book Zero Belly Diet.
Fat Burner #5: Iced Coffee
Yup. You read that right, iced—not just hot—coffee can help raise your internal temperature. While it may seem counterintuitive, it’s not the hot temperature of the coffee that boosts thermogenesis, it’s the caffeine. “Caffeine increases metabolism by stimulating the release of fatty acids from the body’s fat tissues, which in turn can increase body temperature,” explains Lauren Minchen MPH, RDN, CDN, a registered dietitian and nutritionist based in New York City. Bonus: Add low-fat, Vitamin D-fortified milk to your morning cup. The nutrients increase diet induced thermogenesis (the process of converting calories to heat), a 2011 Clinical Nutrition study found. For added belly-blasting benefits, brew yourself a pot of green tea, one of these essential 5 Best Teas for Weight Loss.
Fat Burner #4: Cumin
Despite popular belief, spicy foods—like hot peppers—won’t help keep you warm. Since they make you perspire, they actually cool you down. Cumin, on the other hand, generates less intense heat that will warm you up without drenching you in sweat. How does it work? That’s not exactly known yet, says Minchen. But we’re confident plenty of scientists are working to understand the mechanism.
Fat Burner #3: Whole Grains
“Because of the fiber, whole grains and other complex carbs like potatoes and lentils require more energy to break down than simple carbs like cookies and white bread. This process not only keeps you fuller longer, but because the body is working so hard to digest your food, it may also increase body heat,” says Minchen. Thermogenesis increases after carb-rich meals, a 2011 study published in Nutrition found.
Related: 9 Best Carbs to Melt Belly Fat Fast
Fat Burner #2: Bananas
This popular fruit is rich in B vitamins and magnesium, which “helps the thyroid and adrenal glands regulate the body’s temperature,” explains Minchen. One large banana serves up about ten percent of the day’s magnesium and a healthy dose of B vitamins. Add it to your breakfast cereal or top with two tablespoons of natural peanut butter for an afternoon snack. Or mix one up in a blender and slim down: This Best-Ever Smoothie Recipe for Weight Loss can be whipped up in 90 seconds or less!
Fat Burner #1 Ginger
If you typically leave the ginger behind on your sushi plate, you could be missing out on some body-warming benefits. The spice enhances thermogenesis, a 2012 study published in the journal Metabolism found. Scientists also found that it reduced feelings of hunger, suggesting that it may play a potential role in weight management. While more studies need to be done to confirm their suspicions, it sounds like a win-win to us. Ginger can be added to meat dishes, soups and smoothies with equally delicious results.
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