Is There A Spice That Burns Fat – What You Need To Know

Dieting can become a real bore if you’re eating the same tasting foods all the time. That’s why adding spices and herbs to your meals can add new tastes and variety to keep it interesting. But is there a spice that burns fat naturally? Let’s take a look.

Spices have been used by people all over the world for many centuries. Not only can spices brighten up a meal with added taste and color, but they also provide heightened aromas. When the senses are engaged, eating becomes more interesting.

Adding spices and herbs to your food is great when you’re trying to lose weight. These gems have no calories, no sodium, and can even have healthy benefits.

Best of all your food just tastes better! There are also many foods that help boost metabolism naturally.

Many cultures are known to have used spices for their medicinal qualities. Historically speaking, spices have been used by different cultures to treat chronic conditions and ease ailments.

It is only in our modern times that scientists are learning about the holistic benefits of spices in our diets and how they may even be used in weight loss.

To find out more about how spices and herbs can boost your metabolism, burn fat naturally and make your food more delicious, we’ve compiled our top 10 list.

1. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that is often found in Indian cooking. It is part of what is found in curry powder and makes those dishes turn yellow.

Science is now discovering that the active compound in turmeric, curcumin, can actually assist in losing weight.

One study was done by Tufts University in 2009 on mice. It was discovered that the mice group that was fed curcumin lost more weight that the group that did not take it.

More studies have also found that in study groups, people that had metabolic syndrome and were given turmeric daily had lower BMI, smaller waist circumference and lower weight.

The exact amount of curcumin intake to provide these benefits is not clear. However, there are many curcumin supplements on the market today that might provide weight loss value.

Adding turmeric to your dishes is also another easy way to incorporate the benefits of this spice into your day.

Also noteworthy is that adding turmeric with black pepper can help this spice’s absorbency in the body.

2. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is certainly known for its spicy kick and heat. However, there is an active ingredient in cayenne pepper that has healthy benefits and can speed up metabolism: capsaicin.

Capsaicin actually belongs to a group called the capsicum family. This group of vegetables includes chili peppers, jalapenos and bell peppers. The hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it has.

Capsaicin has been found to increase the body’s thermogenesis factor while aiding in satiety. Thermogenesis is the body’s ability to produce heat while it burns calories. When body temperature goes up, so does your metabolism.

Several studies have found that when people added 0.9 grams (approximately 1/4 tsp.) of red pepper to their meals, they burned more calories due to thermogenesis.

Adding cayenne pepper may be a great way to increase your metabolic burn while spicing up your foods.

3. Cinnamon

This spice can help you to stabilize your blood sugar. It’s helpful in weight loss because it can help lower glucose levels in the bloodstream.

When blood sugar levels are stable, you can moderate hunger and keep cravings at bay.

Cinnamon also helps with insulin release. These natural factors are important when you are trying to lose weight.

Used in moderation, cinnamon is a great spice to add to morning oatmeal, mixed in with yogurt or tea, sprinkled on cappuccino or in a smoothie. It is also delicious used as a topping on baked apples.

4. Black Pepper

Black pepper is one of the world’s most commonly used spices. It can be found in most kitchens as it’s use is almost unlimited. But black pepper also contains piperine.

This active ingredient has been found to be anti-inflammatory, can boost your immune system, and acts as an anti-oxidant.

One study was conducted on rats that were fed a high fat diet where one group had piperine and the other had an appetite suppressor.

The exciting finding was that the group who consumed piperine ended up with a lower weight, lower triglycerides and lower cholesterol all while not changing their food intake.

So the piperine found in black pepper may actually be one of nature’s best fat burners.

There are no conclusive guidelines on how much black pepper one should consume. Too much may cause digestive issues.

However, adding it generously to your meals is an easy way to promote fat loss while boosting taste.

5. Saffron

Saffron is considered the most expensive spice in the world. It is often found in Middle Eastern and sometimes Asian dishes.

The threads of saffron are gathered by hand from Crocus plants and then dried. Their rarity and the amount of labor involved in producing them contributes to their luxurious price.

These delicate threads give foods a warm, vibrant golden hue. This spice is commonly used in Spanish paella, different risotto dishes and as an enhancer for chicken and seafood.

One study showed that patients who took saffron had lowered BMI, lower waist circumferences and less fat than those who took a placebo.

It appears that saffron may assist in reducing appetite which can help with losing weight.

In taking just 30 mg of this fancy spice a day can help you to see some health benefits.

6. Rosemary

Rosemary is a very common herb that is often used in its dried, fresh or ground form. It is actually related to another popular herb, mint.

Rosemary leaves are often used to flavor foods and can provide added healthy benefits. Consuming rosemary has been shown to help in digestion, improve metabolic rate and assist in weight loss.

One study that was done on rats over a 7-week period showed that consuming rosemary leaves helped to lower fat and increase weight loss. However, further investigation needs to be done on humans.

Although rosemary is safe to ingest, it may interfere with some blood clotting and blood pressure medications. So always check with your health care professional for advice before consuming.

Adding rosemary leaves to chicken is a savory way to enjoy it. Dried rosemary can also be incorporated with other spices to create a dry rub for different meats and poultry.

7. Ginger

Ginger actually comes from a tropical plant and what we generally eat or cook with is the root of the plant. It is often used for controlling nausea and digestive issues, but it may even help you slim down!

A study published in 2019 found that people who consumed ginger not only lost weight, but also lowered their waist to hip ratio.

In addition, insulin resistance was greatly decreased which means the body was boosted in its ability to control blood sugar – an important aspect to belly fat loss.

Ginger may have some interactions with different medications so it is always wise to check with your doctor before consuming. It is not recommended to take more than 4 grams of ginger per day.

Easy ways to use ginger are in hot tea, soups, fish and stir frys.

8. Cumin

This popular spice has been used for medicinal purposes in treating different ailments. It adds great flavor to tacos, yogurt, soups, dressings, lentils and guacamole.

One small study done on 88 overweight women found that those who took 3 grams of cumin twice a day for 3 months, had significantly lower BMI, weight and fat mass at the end of the trial.

An added bonus was lower cholesterol and triglycerides in those women who took the cumin daily.

So go ahead and give cumin a try! If you plan to try a cumin supplement, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider first to check the dosage is right for you.

9. Mustard Seeds

One study found that consuming 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds could actually boost metabolism by a whopping 25%. The best part was this thermogenic effect lasted for several hours after consuming the mustard.

In order to get the best benefits from mustard, you will need to consume mustard that has the seed in it as that is where the benefits are found.

Try different whole grain mustards, hot mustard or English mustard. With hardly any calories, this is a condiment that can be used liberally for added flavor and metabolism boosting effects.

It can also be added to your sandwiches, dressings or different sauces.

10. Cardamom

This complex-tasting spice is often found in Indian foods. It can be used for cooking or baking. Oftentimes, cardamom is used in stews and curry but can also be enjoyed in gingerbread cookies and baked goods.

Cardamom has been used to treat bloating and digestive issues because it helps prevent gas from being built up.

This spice has been found to be naturally thermogenic. That’s exciting news! It can help boost metabolism and burn more body fat.

Additionally, it has been found that drinking cardamom water daily can actually help burn belly fat. Adding just a pinch or two to your foods can also help speed up your metabolism and burn that fat.

The Bottom Line On Spice That Burns Fat?

Spices add lots of flavor to whatever you are eating and drinking. A little can go a long way. But adding certain spices to your daily intake may actually help you lose some weight and burn fat.

There is no limit to the number of spices you can add to your day or the meals you might add them too. Want to add some black pepper and cayenne pepper to your breakfast eggs? Why not.

Try adding some grainy mustard to a sandwich for lunch and some fresh rosemary to your baked chicken for dinner. The possibilities are limited only to your imagination.

When combined with portion size, healthy protein foods and regular exercise, spices can be a great addition to your weight loss regime.

However, always remember that too much of anything can cause issues. Be aware that if you are on any kind of medications, check with your medical professional before ingesting anything from the list.

Spices are a great way to quickly add flavor and interest to your dietary intake. Just remember that moderation is the key!