Spice up your life!

Complaints that I often hear about staying on a calorie restricted nutritional plan, is the fact that it can get very tedious and boring.  So why not spice things up with these herbs and spices, it will make your food taste great, and add a little punch to your metabolism ;)

Black pepper is the first of these spices to get a mention and some studies give the figure of 8% metabolic increase after consumption. Black pepper also stimulates gastric secretions and helps alleviate wind and constipation. Throw into the mix the ability of black pepper to aid your nutrient uptake and this proves itself nicely as a great way to spice up your meals.

Turmeric is a hot and yellow spice that packs a health punch too. It can lower blood sugar levels, reduce tissue and blocks weight gain. Turmeric can reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes too – so it’s more than just a little weight loss boost.  With most diets being so high in protein,  turmeric aid also aids in the digestion of protein  and is a natural liver detoxifier.

Cardamon assists the digestive system and also aid in detoxifying.  Due to the high vitamin, mineral and iron content it aid in optimum health and increase in energy levels.

Cinnamon is the next in this impressive line-up and this can also reduce your blood sugar level. Cinnamon is great for your immune system and also promotes a healthy digestive system. A well-running digestive tract is essential for removing toxins and helping you to lose weight. Efficient digestion will rid your body of waste produce and clear your toxins away. There are also some people who claim that cinnamon reduces their appetite too – and you hardly need to count its calories either.

Ginger can work its wonders in your digestive system too and acts as a handy metabolism booster along the way. It reduces feelings of nausea and vomiting, increases stomach PH and eases gastric secretions.

Cayenne pepper is powerful, not only by its taste either. Just a tiny amount of the substance can raise your metabolism quite significantly; some have even estimated as much as a 25% metabolic increase as a result of cayenne pepper consumption. Cayenne pepper brings all of those nasty toxins to the surface of the blood too and thus helps them to be carried out of your system.