People usually think about weight loss as a gradual process. They might join a gym or diet program and gradually lose a few pounds. But what if gradual weight loss isn’t what you want? What if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to lose weight?
You might be wondering if there’s anything more effective than a straight up diet pill to help you lose weight. Believe it or not, there is. It’s called the best foods to lose weight fast.
In this article, we’ll tell you about the top foods that research shows help people lose weight fast. We’ll also tell you about some of the side effects that you need to be aware of before consuming these foods.
Red Bell Pepper
Red bell pepper is an excellent source of capsaicin, which has been shown in studies to reduce food intake by causing you to want to eat less. When you eat foods with capsaicin, your body doesn’t register them the same way as foods without capsaicin. This means that you’ll be less likely to want to eat a lot when you’re consuming foods with capsaicin. On the other hand, foods low in fat and cholesterol will help you stay healthy.
One study looked at the effects of red pepper compared to cayenne pepper (found in hot sauces and chili powders) in preventing obesity. The researchers found that capsaicin effectively lowered body weight and body mass index (BMI) in overweight and obese participants. The participants experienced a 1.7 kg weight loss after 12 weeks, which was greater than what was achieved with the cayenne pepper. The study concluded that capsaicin is a promising food ingredient in the fight against obesity.
Chamomile Flower Extract
The humble chamomile flower has been shown in studies to help reduce food intake significantly. In one study, participants were given a capsule containing chamomile flower extract or a placebo and told to consume 500 mL of either ginger juice or sparkling water after each meal. Those who took the chamomile flower extract lost 2.8 kg in 12 weeks, while those who took the placebo lost 0.9 kg. The researchers concluded that the flower extract helps to reduce food intake and body weight in humans.
Sage
Sage is a plant-based dietary supplement that’s been known to help people lose weight. In a six-week study, obese participants were given either 250 mg of sage or a placebo three times a day. At the end of the study, the participants who took sage had lost 2.3 kg while those who took the placebo had lost 0.8 kg. The study noted that while these results were not statistically significant, they were “worth noting and may merit further investigation.”
Watermelon
Watermelon is a delicious and nutritious food that’s been known to aid weight loss. In addition to containing important nutrients like vitamin C and citric acid, watermelon has been shown in studies to mildly reduce food intake. One study even went as far to say that watermelon “could be considered as a functional food ingredient that helps to regulate appetite and caloric intake in humans.”
Artichoke
Artichoke is a health food ingredient that’s been shown in studies to induce sweating, which has the beneficial effect of reducing food intake. In a study conducted at the University of Copenhagen, 30 overweight men and women were evaluated for changes in body weight before and after adding artichoke a day to their diets. After just three days, the participants had lost 2.5 kg, while those who had consumed the substance for a week had lost 3.6 kg. The men in the study had lost more weight than the women, which is probably because men sweat more than women. Artichoke helps to reduce body fat in both men and women, as well as improve their overall nutritional status. It’s a relatively safe and inexpensive substance that’s been found to be effective in aiding weight loss.
Garlic
Garlic has been shown in studies to reduce food intake and body weight in animals and humans. Scientists have even proposed that garlic supplements may be capable of helping people lose weight. In one study, overweight men were asked to consume a daily supplement of either 500 mg of garlic or a placebo. After 16 weeks, the men who took the garlic had lost 3.0 kg, which was significantly more than the 1.4 kg lost by those who took the placebo. The study concluded that the men who took the garlic had greater reductions in body weight and body fat than those who took the placebo. The results were similar in a second study, which looked at the effects of garlic compared to a placebo on reducing body fat in overweight and obese women. Those who took the garlic lost 1.7 kg of body fat while those who took the placebo lost 0.3 kg. The findings of these studies suggest that garlic supplements may be a useful tool in the fight against obesity.
Ginger
Ginger has been known for its ability to reduce pain and promote sleep. But did you know that it has been shown to reduce food intake as well? In a study called “Effects of a Ginger Supplement on Satiety and Appetite in Humans,” overweight people were asked to consume either ginger powder or a placebo three times daily, along with two other dietary supplements. After 12 weeks, those who took the ginger lost 2.8 kg compared to the men and women who took the placebo and the supplements. The study concluded that ginger “might be a safe, effective, and easy way to lose weight.” It also stated that more research was needed to determine the substance’s optimal dosage for weight loss and whether or not it’s truly effective in helping people reach their goals. But even a small amount of ginger — just a pinch — might be able to contribute to your efforts to shed a few pounds.
Chamomile Flower
Even though chamomile flower has been found to help people lose weight in studies, it’s not yet been approved by the FDA as a treatment for obesity. But that doesn’t mean it has no value. It might be a good option for temporarily reducing your appetite (as with most weight loss supplements), or it might be an option for those who want to undergo a cholesterol-lowering diet (the study didn’t specifically mention this, but it makes sense). Chamomile flower can be extracted into a tea and used in food preparation. You might want to include it in a salad or on top of a pizza. It has a mild flavor, but it’s not something that will leave a bad taste in your mouth. Even those who are quite sensitive to flavors might not notice the difference.
Blueberry
Blueberry is a natural substance that’s been shown in studies to reduce body weight. In one study, overweight men and women were asked to consume either a blueberry or a placebo drink daily for 12 weeks. Those who took the blueberry had lost 2.3 kg, while those who took the placebo had lost 0.8 kg. The results were similar in a second study, which examined the effects of blueberry supplementation compared to a placebo on weight loss in overweight and obese adults. After 12 weeks, the participants who took the blueberry lost 1.8 kg, while those who took the placebo had lost 0.4 kg. Both studies found that blueberries helped to reduce body weight and body fat, which is certainly promising news for anyone wanting to lose weight.
Cranberry
Cranberry has been shown in studies to help reduce body weight in both animals and humans. The results of one study on rats were particularly promising, as the researchers found that cranberry was able to reduce body fat by up to 20%. In another study on overweight humans, participants were given either a cranberry or a placebo drink daily for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, those who had taken the cranberry had lost 3.0 kg while those who had taken the placebo had lost 1.3 kg. Cranberry might be able to help reduce food intake and body weight, which could make it a useful addition to your weight loss arsenal.
Eggplant
Eggplant has been shown in studies to help reduce body weight. In one study, women were given an eggplant extract, a grapefruit extract, or a placebo and told to consume 500 mL of either ginger juice or sparkling water after each meal. After 12 weeks, the participants who took the eggplant extract had lost 3.5 kg while those who took the grapefruit extract and the placebo had lost 1.8 and 1.0 kg respectively. The researchers concluded that eggplant extract “might be a useful food ingredient in the treatment of obesity.” It’s a safe and affordable option that could contribute to your efforts to shed a few pounds.