8 Foods to Give Your Metabolism the Boost It Needs

Apple cider vinegar has been said to do everything from helping improve your energy levels to boosting your immunity, but it's also a powerful tool for increasing your metabolism. ACV "helps increase the amount of fat burned for energy," according to Dr. Zenhausern. It also only contains three calories per tablespoon and is loaded with essential vitamins and minerals like "potassium, magnesium, fiber, amino acids, and antioxidants," Lee told POPSUGAR. You can drink ACV, mix it into a homemade salad dressing, or add it to your morning lemon-water concoction; but while there are a variety of ways to consume in, just make sure you're not exceeding the recommended daily amount.

A wide range of foods, including peanuts, peanut butter, lentils, peas, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and more are a part of the legume family. They contain both protein and fiber. "Not only do legumes require your body to burn a greater number of calories to digest [due to their high protein content], legumes also contain fiber, which helps feed your 'good' gut bacteria, [thereby] helping [to] improve the environment for your gut," Dr. Zenhausern told POPSUGAR.

It's incredibly important to make sure you're drinking enough water each day. When our bodies lack proper water intake, symptoms like fatigue, dehydration, increased hunger, and digestion problems can occur, along with a slow-down in your metabolism. According to Lee, "Drinking water boosts the metabolism due to a process known as water-induced thermogenesis. When you drink a glass of cold, or even room-temperature, water, your system has to burn calories to heat it up to your body temperature."

Seaweed is more than just the perfect addition to your ramen, it also contains an essential mineral called iodine. Iodine is used in the body to aid in proper thyroid function. Patients of Dr. Zenhausern who have underlying thyroid issues tend to struggle with losing weight. "Your thyroid health is a huge component of your metabolism," said Dr. Zenhausern. Because seaweed contains iodine, it's no wonder that it has been called the ocean's superfood.

Green tea has been used for centuries due to its health benefits like sickness prevention and stress relief, but it's also great for our metabolism. Green tea is rich in substances like antioxidants called catechins and caffeine, which can increase metabolism when they work together. "They help to boost levels of the hormone, norepinephrine, which signals for stored fat to be released into the bloodstream so that it can be used as energy," Lee told POPSUGAR. However, not all green teas are made equal, so it's important to research companies and brands. Additionally, "the amount of catechins in a cup of green tea varies depending on the precise type of tea, the ratio of tea to water, and how long it is left to infuse," according to Lee.