Fruits to Help Boost Metabolism

Much is often said about metabolism boosting foods such as fiber rich whole grains or proteins. This leaves the mind to wonder about why we are recommended to eat 8 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables if there aren't many fruits on this list. Sure, you could stick to a bodacious exercise regimen alone to try to boost your metabolism but what you eat is the quickest way to speed up function. Truthfully, there are many fruits that can be used to boost the body's metabolism that are little known or focused on.

Types

• Fruits that are vitamin C rich are known to boost metabolism along with providing other benefits. These fruits include limes, tomatoes, grapefruit and oranges. Berries such as blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries contain nutrients that help to block fat. This is also similarly found in fruits such as apples and pears.

Function

• Vitamin C found in many fruits contains a natural fat burning quality. This can be obtained by simply squeezing some lemon or lime over a salad. Pectin which is found in high amounts in berries and apples has an ingredient that is similar to the fat blocking nutrient in soybeans. Like the lecithin found in soy, pectin discourages fat absorption in cells.

Considerations

• Fruits tend to be high in simple sugars which are easily broken down and absorbed by the body. This has the opposite desired effect that most metabolism boosters boast in the digestive system. Foods that are harder to digest such as proteins and fibrous foods burn more calories (energy) when digested. This results in speeding the metabolism by using more energy than usual. Simple sugars will be stored as fat quickly if not burned almost immediately after being consumed. This means that if you are eating highly sweet fruits you should do so before a physically involving activity.

Significance

• While it is still recommended by the USDA to eat between 8 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables daily, it is important to note that 70 to 80 percent of these servings should be vegetables. This is especially true if you are trying to burn fat and speed your metabolism. While certain fruits will provide some metabolism boosting benefits, they are generally better sources of vitamins and minerals rather than the simple carbohydrates they often provide. Sticking to less sweet fruits, such as grapefruit and tomatoes, can help boost metabolism better.

Benefits

• Antioxidants in fruits such as blueberries are quickly being ingested on the market without much understanding to their purpose. Disease, sickness and the stressing of muscles after workouts causes a process in the body called oxidation. Oxidation in the body forms damaging cells called free radicals. These are cleared out by fruits and other foods that contain antioxidants. Metabolism boosting fruits such as bananas can be high in potassium. Apples are also high in fiber and also lower on the glycemic index.