6 Healthy Foods That Boost Metabolism - 1 minute read
Even if you generally understand that the foods you eat directly affect your well-being, have you ever wondered why that is? According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, it comes down to metabolism, which refers to all the chemical reactions that occur in your body.
These reactions, which take place within your cells, are necessary to produce energy.
The term "metabolic health" refers to how well your body generates this energy, says Casey Kelley, founder and medical director of Case Integrative Health.
Meanwhile, she adds that the term "metabolic rate" describes how many calories (i.e., energy) your body needs to perform life-sustaining functions like breathing.
Simply put, food is robust, with a direct impact on short- and long-term health and overall lifespan, says Roxana Ehsani, a registered dietitian nutritionist and national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
For example, she says, "certain foods have the ability to reduce inflammation because they're rich in omega-3 fats." Meanwhile, other foods are rich in antioxidants, which minimize oxidative stress and cell damage.