The holiday season is fast approaching and during this time of year we can be inundated with metabolism-killing food and drink. The stress of the holiday season coupled with the copious amounts of sugar, flour, and unhealthy fats can cripple your body’s ability to burn body fat for months. This year, don’t fall victim to the endless cycle of inflammatory foods but instead, increase your ability to burn fat while boosting your metabolism with a few delicious drinks made from ingredients right out of your pantry and fridge.

You may already be aware that when you are trying to lose weight, it is important to cut out certain types of drinks from your daily routine. This especially applies to the ones that have added sugars and a higher calorie count. But, did you know that there are a few helpful drinks that can reduce your weight and help you gain the required nutrition to improve your overall health?

The Fat Burning Ingredients:

Lemon-  Lemon can be a helpful way to support weight loss. Lemon extract has been shown to have beneficial effects on fat and glucose metabolism, and it may help you lose weight. Drinking lemon water also keeps you hydrated while being non-caloric.

Ginger- Ginger can enhance calorie burn and reduce feelings of hunger, and is associated with weight loss in overweight adults. It’s also been linked to positive changes in cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, inflammatory proteins and liver health.

Cumin- Cumin may boost your metabolism, lower cholesterol level, and help decrease your blood sugar. Studies confirm that consuming ground cumin helps some people who are trying to losing weight by decreasing the body’s inflammation levels.

Honey- Honey is valued as the ideal food to lose weight. Even studies reveal that athletes who had consumed foods abundant in fructose like honey burn more fat and improved their endurance levels as well. The lower glycemic index of honey versus sugar make it an ideal sweetener when trying to burn body fat.

Cinnamon- Cinnamon is a well-known anti-diabetic spice. It can help lower and maintain blood sugar levels. Also, it helps improve cell sensitivity to the action of the hormone insulin, which transports glucose from the blood into the cell to be used as energy. Cinnamon is high in fiber and can therefore help reduce food cravings by promoting a feeling of satiety and fullness.

Chia Seeds- Chia seeds are very rich in fiber, which adds bulk to your meals and hence prolongs their satiety value. Chia seeds slow down digestion and delay the  release of glucose in the blood. Chia seeds aid body metabolism and stop your food cravings, both of which are crucial for losing and managing weight. Chia seeds are also an excellent source of plant protein, which is vital for building muscle mass, balancing blood sugar and burning fat. Protein helps you feel fuller longer and reduces appetite, which in turn reduces your calorie intake.

Cayenne Pepper- One of the main benefits of cayenne pepper is its ability to boost metabolism. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne, has been shown to increase your metabolic rate by up to 25%, leading to more calories being burned throughout the day. This effect is known as thermogenesis, and it can aid in weight loss by helping the body burn fat more efficiently.

Apple Cider Vinegar- Apple cider vinegar has been shown to support weight loss by lowering your blood sugar and insulin response. This reduces the amount of sugar or carbohydrates that you absorb into your body. The more carbohydrates you consume beyond your body’s needs the more body fat you produce.

 

Fat Burning Drink Recipes:

Lemon Ginger Fat Burner: Boost your morning metabolism

  • 4 cups water
  • 2 lemon / lime
  • 1 inch ginger grated
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp lemon
  1. In a large saucepan add 4 cups of water.
  2. Take 2 lemon or lime rinds which are chopped roughly and add to the water. Make sure to squeeze off the juice and keep it aside before chopping.
  3. Add 1 inch ginger, ½ tsp pepper to the water and boil for 5 minutes.
  4. Boil until the lemon softens.
  5. Cool slightly, and filter out the water.
  6. In a tall glass place the prepared warm detox water.
  7. Add 1 tsp honey and 1 tsp saved lemon juice and mix well.

Cumin Cinnamon Pain Reducing Fat-burning Drink: A spicy way to start your day

  • 4 cups of water
  • 3 tsp cumin
  • 3 inch cinnamon
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp lemon
  1. In a large saucepan add 4 cups of water.
  2. Add 3 tsp cumin and 3 inch cinnamon and boil for 5 minutes or more.
  3. Cool slightly, and filter out the water.
  4. In a tall glass take prepared warm detox water and add 1 tsp honey and 1 tsp lemon. mix well.

Chia Lemon Fat-Burning drink: Satisfy your appetite, burn body fat

  • 3 cups of water
  • 2 tsp chia seeds
  • 2 cup water
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp lemon
  1. Soak 2 tsp chia seeds in 1 cup water for 10 minutes.
  2. Place the soaked chia seeds in a tall glass.
  3. Add 2 cup water, 1 tsp honey and 1 tsp lemon. Mix well.

 

Oolong Tea Sipper: An all day fat burning sipping drink

  • 2 oolong tea bags
  • 1 mug boiling water
  • ¼ cup unsweetened almond or cashew milk
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • 1 to 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2-4 teaspoons of Pure Stevia extract or to your preference of sweetness
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 to 2 pinches of cayenne pepper
  • Ice and cold water
  1. Steep the tea bags in the mug of boiling water, let cool, discard bags
  2. Pour into a blender the tea, nut milk, salt, vanilla, Stevia, cinnamon, and cayenne. Blend well for 20 seconds.
  3. Pour into a quart jar and fill with ice cubes.
  4. Add water to bring the liquid to the top.
  5. Stir and enjoy all day long.

Pomegranate Power Shot: Put some POWER into your day.

  • ½ tbsp fresh finely chopped ginger
  • ½-1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 oz. Coconut water
  • 2 oz. Pomegranate juice
  1. Mix in a small glass and drink.

Cider Shot: Kick start your metabolism

  • ½ tbsp fresh chopped ginger
  • 2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 oz water
  1. Mix in a small glass and drink.

Supplement Your Fat Burning:

Occasionally, you may need to add a boost to your fat burning metabolism with a couple of safe supplements. These two supplements go well with the above fat burning drinks to further increase your metabolic engine.

L-Tyrosine- L-tyrosine supplements can support the production of thyroid hormones to speed up your metabolism. Evidence suggests that when taken in combination with other fat-burning substances, such as caffeine and capsaicin, L-Tyrosine is even more effective for achieving weight loss. L-Tyrosine is a conditionally indispensable amino acid required for the production of the neurotransmitters dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline, as well as for the skin pigment, melanin. L-tyrosine can help to support a positive mood and mental alertness.

Garcinia- Garcinia cambogia is a plant native to SE Asia that has been used for centuries by traditional herbalists. Garcinia’s primary bioactive constituent, Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA), has been extensively studied for its effects on citrate lyase, which is the main enzyme responsible for the cellular synthesis of fatty acids. Scientific studies indicate that in the presence of HCA, cells produce fewer fatty acids from carbohydrates. It has been shown to reduce abdominal body fat and have a moderate weight loss effect.


Daryl C. Rich, D.C., C.S.C.S.