5 Research-Backed Ways To Speed Up Your Aging Metabolism

You used to be able to chow down on sugary donuts, creamy pastas and loaded burgers without loosening your belt buckle. But overnight it seems that even thinking about sugary or fatty foods seems to pack on the pounds.  We hate to break it to you, but it's probably not all in your head. As you grow older, you're likely to notice the weight creep on faster thanks to a combination of inadequate sleep, a lowered muscle mass and -- perhaps most importantly -- a slower metabolism. Some estimates suggest that it actually slows down by 5 percent every decade after your 40th birthday. But you can do something about it. Here are five effective ways to boost your metabolism and stop packing on the pounds. 1. Spice things up. Studies have linked various benefits with kicking up the heat-factor in your foods. Whether you're cooking with hot chili peppers or adding a spicy sauce, research has shown there might be benefits to spicy foods. One study from last year found that the capsaicin in chili peppers can boost your metabolism and even helped mice with a high-fat diet keep the weight off. Another study found that consuming 5 grams of chili peppers can boost your metabolism pretty much immediately, up to 20 percent, for about 30 minutes or so. Some research suggests that even one gram of chili can curb your appetite, if you're not used to eating spicy food.  2. Hit the weights.  Cardio has calorie-burning benefits, but it's maintaining muscle mass in middle...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news