Fat Burning Spices
By Michael Huddleston

Chili Powder -

Like all peppers containing capsaicin, chili powder is a powerful stimulant that raises your body's temperature and helps you burn calories faster. Chili is another good spice for spaghetti sauce and of course, vegetarian chili.

Cinnamon -

Cinnamon, cloves, turmeric and bay leaves actually have drug-like properties that help us handle the sugar in sweets. Dr. Anderson discovered that these various spices help stimulate insulin activity, which means the body can process sugar more efficiently and, therefore, needs less insulin. Only a little cinnamon, such as the small amounts sprinkled on toast or oatmeal, can stimulate insulin activity. A dash of cinnamon may help keep blood sugar in check.

Fennel Seeds -

The Greek termed fennel, meaning to grow thin. Fennel seed is good to have before a meal, as it curbs your appetite. Drink fennel tea or add fennel when baking bread or muffins.

Ginger -

An Australian study proved that ginger revs up the metabolism and burns off calories. Biochemists applied both fresh and dried ginger extracts to the tissue of animals and found that the spice induced tissues to use up more than 20% more energy than usual. Chinese herbalists prescribe ginger for weight loss, because of its warming ability. By raising body temperature, ginger helps stimulate the body's fat burning mechanisms. It has also been proven in Ayurveda medicine (a medicine system from India aimed at balancing the body through diet, meditation, herbs and massage, so the body can heal itself), to help relieve arthritic pain. Slice up gingerroot and eat it with rice or stir-fry, or boil it and drink as tea, 3 times per day.

Garlic -

Garlic heats up the immune system and is known for its healing properties for colds and flu. Garlic is another potent diuretic and an excellent weight loss aid. Use garlic in just about anything; spaghetti sauce, soups, salad dressings and stir-fry.

Parsley -

The ancient Greeks used parsley as an aphrodisiac and to enhance beauty and youthfulness. Today, it's primarily used to stimulate the circulatory system, increase energy and fight water retention. Most people also know it as a breath freshener. You can use parsley in any recipe. Better than dried herb, chopped raw, fresh parsley.

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