10 May 2023 , 10:12
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If you're trying to lose weight, you'll know that unfortunately, it isn't as easy as cutting out sugary treats and watching as the weight falls off.
In fact, some people will even find themselves continuing to gain weight despite eating a healthy and balanced diet, and according to diet expert Doctor Michael Mosley, this could be down to your metabolism.
Metabolism is the process by which the body changes food and drink into energy, and the faster your metabolism is, the quicker your body will complete this process.
Thankfully, if your metabolism has slowed down, Dr Mosley said there are foods you can incorporate into your diet to help speed it up again - meaning you should be able to keep your weight loss goals on track.
Dr Mosley recommended spicy foods and extra protein (PR Handout)In a column for the Daily Mail, Dr Mosley explained that including spicy food and more protein in your diet can work wonders for speeding up your metabolism, as well as swapping your daily cuppa for a green tea instead.
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There are also metabolism-boosting exercises you can do, such as push-ups and squats, which help to burn calories even when you're sleeping.
Speaking about how he boosts his own metabolism as he's got older, Dr Mosley added: "Eating more protein, which is advisable as you get older because it helps maintain muscles and bones, will also boost your metabolic rate, as your body uses more energy digesting and absorbing protein than foods that are high in carbs.
"And finally, drinking plenty of water and caffeine will also give your metabolism a little boost."
In his column, the diet expert claimed that over the past 40 years, the metabolic rates in the UK and other countries have significantly slowed down.
Referencing a recent study by the University of Aberdeen and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, Dr Mosley revealed that men are burning about 220 calories less a day and women 122 calories less, compared with what people the same size and shape would have done in the 1980s.
He explained: "They believe one reason for this is the major change in what we eat, with a drop in consumption of meat and dairy (which are rich in saturated fats) and a rise in ultra-processed foods high in sugary carbs. For years we were urged to reduce consumption of saturated fats because this was supposed to cut our risk of heart disease, though the evidence for this has never been that strong."
Dr Mosley also advised trying a ketogenic diet, which is higher in fat and lower in carbohydrates, as this should help boost your metabolism by encouraging your body to break down fats instead of carbs.