[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ood contains energy in the form of calories. Individuals who consume more calories than they burn through exercise gain weight. However, certain foods count as “negative calorie” foods, meaning they have fewer calories than it takes the body to digest them. When negative calorie foods are paired with fatty foods, they can burn some of the excess fat, and this helps people prevent weight gain. Many fruits and vegetables act as fat-burners.
Apples
An apple a day helps keep fat away. Apples contain lots of vitamin C, which dilutes fat and makes it easier to flush from the body. Apples also have pectin, a complex carbohydrate that limits the amount of fat absorbed into cells. Pectin even aids with water absorption, again helping flush fat.
Asparagus
The alkaline chemical asparagine, found in asparagus, helps break down fat and stimulates the kidneys, improving the overall circulatory process. Asparagus also destroys the oxalic acid that glues fat to cells, allowing the fat to be removed from the system before it has a chance to be stored in the body.
Broccoli
A true super food, broccoli contains scores of vitamins and nutrients, including high levels of vitamin C, vitamin A, folic acid and calcium. Broccoli’s fiber content forces the body to expend more energy during digestion, making it a highly effective fat-burner. Add in its disease-fighting antioxidants, and broccoli deserves a spot on every dinner plate.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are high in fat-burning components like vitamin C and fiber, and also have a combination of minerals that stimulate the glands into releasing hormones that cleanse cells of fat. The leafy green vegetables also stimulate the kidneys, helping more fat to be flushed from the body.
Carrots
Carrots get their distinctive orange coloring from carotene, a form of vitamin A. Carotene prompts a fat-flushing reaction within the body. Once inside the intestines, carotene also transforms into vitamin A, helping raise the body’s metabolism and burn more calories.
Oranges
Thanks to their high vitamin C content, oranges provide excellent fat-burning potential. Oranges also contain pulp and fiber, which require the body to spend more energy on digestion. As a result, more calories get burned, resulting in fat reduction. Other citrus fruits, such as limes and lemons, deliver the same fat-burning benefits.
Peppers
Peppers, and in particular chili peppers, contain capsaicin, the chemical compound that gives them their heat. Once ingested, capsaicin forces the body to produce more stress hormones, leading to an increase in metabolic rate and more expended calories. Mixing some cayenne pepper into fatty foods can help negate the caloric intake.
