1. Green Tea

Drinking green tea throughout the day can help you to burn an extra 70 to 100 extra calories a day through an effect known as thermogenesis which is the process of heat production in living organisms as well as providing numerous health benefits. Studies also suggest that the chemical EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) which is found in green tea is responsible for the tea’s fat burning properties.

The fat burning property that green tea promotes is called thermogenesis which causes more body fat to get burnt to supply fuel for your cells. Green Tea increases the bodies energy expenditure and also increases fat oxidation which is needed to convert fat into energy.

A European study that ran over over 3 days, in which a total of 10 men were given caffeine, placebos, and EGCG (in the amount found in several cups of green tea). The result was that the men who were given the EGCG burned more total calories (80) each day while the other two groups came out equal.

Athought it does increase fat loss, green tea should not be considered a single solution to weight loss, but it does help in the reduction of fat tissue by thermogenesis which it has been proven to promote. Other than it’s fat burning properties, green tea has also been shown to be beneficial for problems such as bad breath, blood sugar, cholesterol, dental cavities and it’s powerful antioxidant properties help prevent cell damage.

2. Cayenne Pepper

The second wonderful metabolism booster is cayenne pepper which is made from dried ripe pepper caspsicum.

Several scientific studies have suggested that certain chemical compounds in cayenne pepper also have the ability to increase the body’s heat production (thermogenesis), thereby increasing the rate of metabolism of carbohydrates and fats similar in effect to green tea. Additional research also indicates that cayenne pepper increases production of certain chemicals in the body that decrease or suppress appetite.

For people that are on diets it has been suggested that adding between 5 and 10 grams of cayenne pepper to a meal or roughly 27 grams to an entire day’s diet will significantly reduce hunger after meals and reduce the amount of calories consumed during subsequent meals.

Cayenne pepper is also considered one of the healthiest herbs available. Use it as much as you can if you can stand the heat. Taking this super fat burning drink several times a day is a great way to help get your 8 plus glasses of water each day and to help shed those extra unwanted pounds.

3. Fat Burning Super Drink

A good way to take cayenne pepper is to put a small amount into a glass of green tea. This drink is considered one of the best natural fat burners and it has also been known to significantly reduce appetite in some dieters.

If we already know about this super drink, then why are the sales of soft drinks and Starbucks continuing to rise? My guess is that green tea is not one of the buttons people can choose from on a vending machine. We want convenience, but then we complain that we are getting fat and sick. Here’s the answer, plain and simple. Stop the insanity and start drinking the tea!

Green tea contains more powerful antioxidants than any other product on the market. Even Raisinets! (I say that because it is amazing how the makers of candy try to insult our intelligence by boasting health properties on their packages!) At any rate, antioxidants prevent free radicals from harming our bodies. This is important for our overall health and well-being.

Caffeine is a stimulant that is present in green tea in much smaller amounts than in black tea or coffee. In small amounts, it can be an excellent energy enhancer, but it is best to limit one’s intake, as excess caffeine consumption is unhealthy. Have you ever drank so much coffee that you get the jitters? That is not a good sign. You will not get that feeling from green tea, no matter how often you drink it. Too much is never a problem.

Not to get too hung up on ingredients, let us take a look at the health benefits of drinking green tea. It is a good thing to be aware of what a beverage is made of, but you do not want to spend all of your time analyzing instead of drinking. No one ever asks for the ingredients of a Big Mac, but people gobble them up knowing it is unhealthy. You already know green tea is healthy, so focus on that instead of what is it made of.

HEALTH BENEFITS #1: WEIGHT LOSSGreen tea extract increases metabolism, reduces cravings and aids in weight loss. Green tea may safely increase daytime metabolism as much as 30-40% and increase energy production, as well as a significant fat burning effect. If you have been struggling to lose weight, this should be enough to make you want to start drinking green tea today!

HEALTH BENEFITS #2: ANTI-STRESSL-Theanine is a natural relaxant and is an amino acid found in green tea. It produces tranquilizing effects in the brain, which diminishes stress, worry, and anxiety. It also allows the brain to focus and concentrate better. You will not get a drowsy or groggy feeling either. It simply calms you by helping to increase electrical brain activity commonly present when you are relaxed.

HEALTH BENEFITS #3: BALANCES CHOLESTEROLGreen tea lowers the bad LDL cholesterol while increasing the good HDL cholesterol. It also reduces blood pressure, reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes and acts as a blood thinner. In a recent study, green tea extract prevented cancer of the breast, lung, liver, prostate, skin, esophagus and colon in animals. Drinking two or more cups of green tea a day may reduced the risk of breast cancer by 50 percent and the overall risk of all cancers by ten percent.

HEALTH BENEFITS #4: LONGEVITY & ANTI-AGINGThose who drink green tea often demonstrate a lower mortality rate than those who do not drink it. Why? One reason could be that green tea stimulates the immune system.

HEALTH BENEFITS #5: BONE HEALTHThe regular consumption of green tea can both reduced risk of osteoporosis while reversing pre-existent bone degeneration.

HEALTH BENEFITS #6: ORAL and INTESTINAL HEALTHDrinking green tea protects teeth and gums from disease and kills oral bacteria that cause cavities and bad breath. The polyphenols in green tea even promote the growth of friendly bifidobacteria in the intestine, improves digestion and prevents gastritis and stomach cancer.

I am sure there are probably even more health benefits associated with drinking green tea, but you get the idea that it is more than good for you. Before I became a green tea drinker, I had chronic asthma and allergies, low energy and I was 70 pounds overweight. Green tea did not cure everything, but it is one of the main reasons I am now medication free and no longer overweight.

If you are suffering from any of the problems I had, or any listed above, start drinking green tea. You will be amazed at how much better you feel, both mentally and physically.

Although herbs are probably much safer than most pills you buy at the pharmacy, they can have side effects and need to be taken cautiously especially in conjunction with other medicines. Some herbs can cause reactions with medicines or render them useless. Therefore, you should consult a health care professional before undertaking any herbal treatment.

That being said, herbs, when taken carefully can often help relieve symptoms without the harsh effects that drugs have on your body. Some of our favorite herbs, that have great healing effects and taste good too are listed below.

Garlic

Garlic is a potent herb that has anti fungal and anti bacterial properties. It can be used to treat cuts and infections. It also has great antioxidant properties and is believed to help lower cholesterol as well as help with high blood pressure, cancer and diabetes. Garlic can be used to flavor most any meal but is most pleasurable in Italian dishes. To get the the most benefits from garlic, however it should be eaten raw – crush some garlic cloves and let them sit for 10 minutes before you eat them. If taken in excess, garlic may cause bloating, skin irritation, post operative bleeding, upset stomach, occupational asthma and body odor. If you have a bleeding disorder it is best to stay away from eating garlic.

Green Tea Extract

Green tea is well known to be a powerful antioxidant and health booster. It can reduce cholesterol as well as help prevent vascular clotting and is said to aid in the prevention of both heart disease and cancer. It also has antimicrobial properties which protect the digestive and respiratory systems as well as help to boost your immune system. It is said you should drink 3 to 5 cups a day and you can also take green tea in pill form. Too much green tea can cause dizziness, heart palpitations, headaches, irritability, loss of appetite, insomnia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Horse Chestnut

Horse chestunut is another herb that is full of antioxidants and helps support our circulatory system. It helps to stregthen the capillary cells and can help treat varicosity, phlebitis and hemorrhoids. It is also said to be excellent for wrinkle prevention.

Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle can help protect your liver as well as being used as a remedy for asthma, anthrax, bladder stones, dropsy, fever, piles, spasms, hepatitis and spleen and uterine problems. When takin in excess it can cause headache, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, rash, headache, joint pain and impotence. Do not eat milk thistle if you are pregnant or nursing.

Oregano Oil

Oregano oil has anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties and can be used to treat anything from an earache to athletes foot. It can be soothing to the digestive system and can help relieve gas and bloating as well as urinary problems, swollen glands, rheumatoid arthritis, bronchitis and insect bites. Oregano oil is also a powerful pain killer – some say as powerful as morphine.

Parsley

Did you think parsley was just a garnish? Not so, this herb is a natural diuretic and packed full of nutrition. It is loaded with Vitamins C, A and B as well as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorous. In addition to boosting the immune system it is helpful for healing problems with the urinary system and kidneys and can be a great help in relieving water retention. One way to get lost of parsley in it’s best form (raw) is to cut a bunch up and mix it in with your salads.

Super Kelp

While you can’t grow it in your garden, Super kelp is an herb from the sea that is full of natural iodine and also has other helpful trace elements. Sometimes known as Sea Kelp or Sea Wrack, it is often a main ingredient in cures for obesity. It can also help cleanse your kidneys and stimulate your pituitary gland and thyroid to produce growth hormones.