Metabolism Myths – True or False?
Last week, true to my morning routine, I was watching The Today Show and I happened to catch a segment on metabolism myths. I was playing along, trying to figure out if I knew the answers and what would help or hurt me while on the quest to a healthier lifestyle.
How many of these did you get right? Some of the answer are a little surprising!
1. Your body burns more calories digesting ice-cold beverages and foods. TRUE – Although the metabolism-boosting effects are small, it can’t hurt to pour no-cal drinks – water, tea, coffee – on the rocks to maximize your body’s calorie-burning potential.
2. Spicy foods will fire up metabolism. TRUE – Studies show that eating about one tablespoon of chopped red or green chile pepper – which is equal to 30 mg of capsaicin – resulted in up to a temporary 23 percent boost in metabolism. Capsaicin can turn your metabolism up a notch while also enhancing satiety and reducing hunger.
3. Eating a grapefruit before every meal speeds metabolism. FALSE – Grapefruit won’t work miracles for your metabolism, but it can help you lose weight. The reason: Its fiber and water fill you up on fewer calories, so you eat less at your next meal.
4. Celery is a “negative calorie food” because digesting it uses up more calories than it provides. FALSE – “Negative calorie foods” are nothing more than wishful thinking. Include celery as a low-cal but filling addition to salads, stir-fries, and soups, but you can’t depend on it to magically melt away your trouble spots.
5. PMS cravings are related to the boost in metabolism before your period. TRUE – If there is a silver lining to PMS, it’s that our resting metabolic rate may increase during the part of the menstrual cycle known as the luteal phase (the day after ovulation to the first day of your period). The metabolic boost we get from being “hormonal” can equal as much as 300 calories a day – which is why our appetite increases during this phase.
How did you do on this quiz on metabolism myths? If you want to read the entire story, check out the Today Show website and see how savvy you are!
On October 1st, 2008 karrie said:
Very interesting!
I’ll have to start drinking my water ice cold.
On February 19th, 2010 Crystal (The Florida Department of Citrus) said:
In response to your statement about grapefruit’s fiber benefit, the Florida Department of Citrus recently released a video providing tips to help women practice a balanced eating regimen, which can help them achieve many of their top beauty and health goals. One tip mentioned in the video is filling up on fiber because dietary fiber can also help keep you feeling full for longer. An entire medium grapefruit has 4 grams of dietary fiber, some of which is soluble fiber (pectin), which helps support healthy cholesterol levels.