5 Surprising and Safe Ways to Boost Your Metabolism

Everyone knows that regular exercise is one of the best ways to raise your metabolic rate and you obviously already know that it is important to engage in some kind of aerobic exercise every day. It doesn't matter if that means simply climbing up a few flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator or going for a briskly paced walk during your lunch break at work just make sure that you are getting some kind of exercise. When you engage in aerobic exercise, your metabolic rate rises and can stay at the higher rate for as much as eight hours after your exercise is finished!

Exercise is one of the best ways to gain muscle. When you build your muscles you raise your metabolism by more than ten percent, which means that you can increase your calorie intake by a few hundred calories each day!

Of course, when you are dieting you'll be grateful for the extra calories, but you'll still want to make sure that you are eating foods that keep your metabolic rate high. Here are a few suggestions to keep your metabolism running high:

Water

When you get dehydrated your metabolic rate gets slower. Even the mildest dehydration can slow it down dramatically. Its rate slows by the same three percent that cutting your calories causes. When your body doesn't get enough water, it slows down all of its functions. In addition to this, not only will drinking water keep your metabolism high, it keeps your belly feeling full!

Green Tea

In addition to the many other health benefits offered by green tea (like helping you ward off heart disease and acting as an anti-oxidant), this drink also helps you raise your metabolic rate!

Spicy Food

There are plenty of studies that prove foods containing ingredients like chili pepper, ginger and black pepper can raise your metabolism as much as eight percent.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B is considered one of your body's essential vitamins. B-12 has gotten much of its popularity due to its ability to increase your energy and your metabolism.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an essential element for your body. If you aren't taking in enough magnesium, your body's metabolism is likely to slow down. Just make sure that you never take more than the recommended daily dose!