Most people don’t think of herbs when they think of losing weight, but herbs can help fight cravings and help you lose excess weight without depleting your body of important vitamins and minerals.
Alfalfa is an herb that aids digestion and acts as a diuretic. Studies indicate that components called saponins in alfalfa help make fats more soluble, and may play a role in maintaining the health of blood vessels. In addition, alfalfa is very nutritious. It contains Vitamins A, E, K, B, D and minerals iron, sodium, silicon, and magnesium. These nutrients give your body the energy it needs to go throughout daily life. Alfalfa is also a gentle laxative which reduces water retention and improves digestion.
Dandelion leaf acts as a gentle diuretic, laxative, and digestive aid. It enhances fat metabolism; removes fatty acids and cholesterol from the bloodstream before they stored in fat cells, and restores minerals.
Yerba mate’ contains over 250 known natural compounds, most notably the alkaloids caffeine, theophylline and theobromine. These agents promote central nervous stimulation, and act as diuretics, causing the body to shed water. Additionally, these components appear to suppress appetite, and boost metabolism making this herb ideal in eliminating unwanted fat. The leaves of Yerba alleviate fatigue, suppress appetite, stimulate body and mind, and boost metabolism.
Cinnamon creates a thermogenic burn. It reduces cholesterol levels – in particular, lowering bad cholesterol while leaving good cholesterol the same. It is cinnamon’s effect on blood sugar that makes it a potential help against obesity and insulin resistance. Cinnamon can be used in its powdered or stick form, adding it to drinks and foods, or as a supplement.
Nettle is high in nutrition (rich in vitamins C and E and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, silica, and potassium) and helps clears toxins. Nettle is believed to feed cells on a deeper level which reduces cravings. Nettle tea is used to curb appetite and cravings and assist in weight loss.
Fennel acts as a diuretic that reduces hunger and improves energy.
Ginger increases the pH of stomach acid, reducing its acidity, lowering the rate of gastric secretions, and increasing digestive enzyme activity. It is also said to speed up metabolism helping to burn fat.
There is limited scientific support for the claim that apple cider vinegar can promote weight loss. However, one small study (published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry in 2009) found that obese people who consumed acetic acid daily for 12 weeks experienced significant decreases in body weight, abdominal fat, waist circumference, and triglycerides. In tests on mice, another 2009 study (published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry) found that acetic acid may help prevent the buildup of body fat and certain liver fats.
It’s unknown whether these studies tested the use of acetic acid derived from apple cider vinegar or from other vinegar types.
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