“What nature gives, no one can take away,” as the saying goes. Indeed, Mother Nature offers us many gifts, among them plants and ingredients that are often nicknamed “fat burners”. Let’s be clear from the start, though: no single food, spice or plant can make fat disappear on its own. Here is a selection of 12 natural ingredients that are often mentioned, what they contain and how to include them in a varied, balanced diet.
Pineapple
This delicious fruit, a true treat for the taste buds, also has its place in a balanced diet! It contains bromelain, an enzyme. The flesh of the pineapple contains some, but it is mainly in the stem (the slightly firm and tangy core that most people discard) where bromelain is most concentrated. Pineapple extract can also be found in the formula of our cream and our Cellulite Shower Oil.
Coffee
Coffee has many fans, and it is probably the best known of these ingredients. The caffeine it contains is a naturally stimulating alkaloid, and it is this caffeine that earns coffee its place on lists of “fat burners”, even though no cup can replace a balanced diet and regular exercise. So don’t hesitate to have a coffee before your run if you enjoy it, but have it in moderation! And to finish your jog, what could be better than a Cellulite Scrub in the shower, followed by the application of our gel on your thighs? They also contain caffeine!
Cinnamon
This spice, the inner bark of the cinnamon tree, adds a delicate warmth to both savoury dishes and desserts. But it can also flavour a yoghurt, a fruit compote or a coffee without adding sugar, which is a good habit when you are trying to cut down on sugar. Safe to say that cinnamon is a spice worth inviting to your table on a regular basis!
Lemon
This citrus fruit does it all in the kitchen: juiced, zested, in a salad dressing or squeezed over fish. It also adds a bright, tangy flavour to any dish without making it heavy. It can be enjoyed in any form, at any time of day. It can also be found in our tea! As a cold drink, lemon water is also well known as a pleasant way to drink water throughout the day.
Ginger
Ginger root is well known to lovers of Asian cuisine. But it is also excellent in many other recipes. It is primarily valued for its spicy flavour, which comes from aromatic compounds such as gingerol. Freshly grated, ground or infused, it is a great ingredient to add to your dishes or drinks whenever the opportunity arises!
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Guarana
Guarana needs little introduction: this Amazonian shrub produces seeds rich in guaranine, a highly concentrated form of caffeine. It is this natural stimulant that earns it a place on lists of “fat burners”. As with coffee, moderation is key, especially if you are sensitive to stimulants. Our drink mix and our Cellulite Capsules contain it too.
Konjac
This clever plant is widely consumed in Japan in the form of noodles. Its tuber contains glucomannan, a soluble fibre. Low in calories, konjac makes it easy to vary your plate, as its noodles can be prepared in a similar way to pasta. Just remember to drink plenty of water when you eat it.
Sacred Lotus
The Sacred Lotus (or nelumbo nucifera) is far more than a beautiful aquatic plant. Its rhizome, rich in neferine, is used in traditional Chinese medicine. As for the leaves, they feature in many traditional preparations. An extract of the Sacred Lotus can be found in our gel!
Maté
Used to prepare a drink beloved by South Americans, maté is a plant packed with caffeine, sometimes called mateine. It is its high caffeine content that makes it a regular on lists of “fat burners” and earns it a place in this selection. Notably, in countries where maté is traditionally consumed, it tends to be drunk every day, often throughout the day.
Cayenne Pepper
Here is another well-known and particularly fiery ingredient! Chilli pepper contains capsaicin, the compound responsible for its heat. But this molecule is also what has given chilli its reputation as a natural “fat burner”. Quite a claim to fame! If you like spicy flavours, don’t rush it: add a pinch or two of chilli to your plate, then build up gradually!
Shan Zha
Shan Zha refers to the fruit of the hawthorn (or azarole) in Chinese medicine. It is a small red fruit, resembling a tiny apple. It can be found dried in Chinese herbal shops. In a word, it is a perfect fruit to discover! What’s more, its pleasantly sweet and tangy flavour makes it a lovely herbal tea.
Which natural ingredients should you choose?
To help you find your way, you can group these ingredients by how you enjoy them:
- Drinks: coffee, maté, lemon water or a Shan Zha herbal tea.
- Spices: cinnamon, ginger and cayenne pepper, to liven up your dishes.
- On your plate: pineapple, whose core contains the most bromelain, and konjac, widely eaten in Japan as noodles.
Coffee, guarana and maté all contain caffeine, so it’s best not to combine large amounts of them. The simplest approach is to pick the ones you enjoy and include them in a varied, balanced diet.
Other plants are often mentioned in this category: green tea, spirulina, bladderwrack, psyllium… None of them replaces a varied diet and regular exercise. And as always, balance is key: if you are pregnant, taking medication or have a medical condition, ask your GP or pharmacist for advice before consuming them regularly.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a natural fat burner that is more powerful than the others?
No, and this selection is not a ranking. Rather than looking for the “strongest” one, it’s best to go by taste: pick the drinks, spices or foods you genuinely enjoy, so they fit easily into your everyday meals. If in doubt, ask your GP or pharmacist for advice.
Can I have coffee, guarana or chilli if I have a medical condition?
If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or are taking medication, ask your GP or pharmacist for advice before consuming these ingredients regularly. This is especially true of those that contain caffeine, such as coffee, guarana and maté.
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- Natural foods: 10 examples, from apples to almonds
- Juice cleanse: what to know
- How to quit sugar: some valuable tips
Useful categories: Slimming Nutrition, Weight Management.
