10 Herbs and Spices that Aid in Weight Loss

Herbs and spices are great for adding some flavor to your foods, but research shows that some of them actually help you shed pounds.

1. Ginseng

Some forms of ginseng can actually help speed up metabolism while boosting energy. According to the University of Maryland, panax ginseng has weigh loss properties.

Panax ginseng's effect on weight and metabolism isn't completely understood. It is thought to help modulate carbohydrate metabolism, making it potentially useful for managing blood sugar in people with Type II diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, mice given Panax ginseng extracts experienced significant weight reduction after 12 days.

2. Cayenne Pepper

The main ingredient of cayenne pepper is capsaicin. Capsaicin helps burn fat and suppress appetite. Cayenne pepper also increases metabolism which causes the body to burn more calories. You can sprinkle some cayenne pepper on any of your favorite dishes or juice drinks for some added heat and flavor.

3. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of my favorite spices. Cinnamon helps to lower blood sugar and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). Research conducted has shown that cinnamon can boost metabolism and increase insulin levels, lowering the risk for pre-diabetes.

Cinnamon is also a natural preservative. You can add it to your favorite dishes and beverages.

4. Piperine

Piperine is the alkaloid responsible for the pungency of black pepper. According to the University of Oklahoma, black pepper improves digestion, helps burns fat a a higher rate and can "potentially burn as many calories as walking for 20 minutes."

5. Dandelions

Dandelions are absolutely amazing. They are great in salads and I juice dandelions as well. Dandelions help to cleanse the body and slows down digestion. According to the USDA, dandelions rank among the top four vegetables of nutritional value. Check out my full post on dandelions and juicing recipes here.

Here is a great juice recipe that promotes weight loss.

6. Mustard Seed

Mustard seed is an important ingredient in mustard and it is also sold individually. According to research conducted by England's Oxford Polytechnic Institute, one teaspoon of mustard can speed up the metabolic rate by 25%.

Mustard seeds can be good for weight loss because they are low in calories. A 1 tbsp. serving of ground mustard seeds provides just 32 calories, or 1.6 percent of the suggested daily intake of 2,000.

This amount of calories is lower than some other condiments and flavoring sauces provide, such as ranch dressing, which contains 75 calories per 1 tbsp. serving.

7. Tumeric

I add turmeric to all my juices. It is a common spice found in India and it has shown to help break down fat and regulate the body's metabolism. Turmeric can also help reduce the chance of diabetes.

You can read more about turmeric here.

8. Ginger

I love ginger and I add it to my juice all the time. This amazing spice can suppress appetite, aid in digestion, remove toxins and raise body temperature to boost metabolism. You can read more about the benefits of ginger here.

9. Cardamom

Cardamom adds great flavor, especially to tea. When I drink tea I like to add a few cardamom seeds to my tea, it adds so much flavor and smells great. Cardamom boosts metabolism and helps with digestion.

10. Cumin Seed

Cumin seed like many other herbs and spices listed here helps aid in digestions while boosting energy levels. Research has also shown that cumin seeds can help with those who have asthma, arthritis, kidney disease and colon cancer.

* Some of these herbs and spices may interfere with certain medications. Check with your physician before starting a new program or using these herbs and spices.

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for preventing diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Going on a juice program, like the Alpha Reset may help you shed extra pounds while consuming vital micronutrients. You can download the Alpha Reset and get started today.