Metabolism: is it true that if we slow it down we can’t do anything about it? Or is it true that skipping meals slows down your metabolism? Are there any foods that increase metabolism? If you’ve heard of these things and want to find out the truth, here are five myths about metabolism according to doctors. 

FIVE FALSE MYTHS ABOUT METABOLISM

1. 1. Drink more coffee to increase metabolism: the use of alkaloid substances, which are substances that act on the nervous system such as coffee or tea, have an action on the metabolism for a very short period of time. Beware that if consumed alone these substances induce stress in the body. In addition, they are addictive: the body gets used to it and the “magic” effect is lost within a week.
   2. Eat spicy to boost metabolism: Here too, the capsaicin contained in chili peppers has an effect on metabolism, stimulating thermogenesis and even activation of brown fat. But we are talking about a very moderate and not lasting action. You can’t spice up everything you eat for every day of your life. In the end the trick doesn’t work.
   3. Skipping meals slows down your metabolism: Like any calorie restriction, skipping meals can slow down your metabolism if it involves a reduction in daily calories. If he compensates in subsequent meals, no. Likewise, while skipping meals as a habit can increase stress levels (and thus, in the long run, worsen our metabolic flexibility), occasionally doing so does not affect the metabolism.
   4. Eating large meals slows down the metabolism, better little and often: in reality, the thermal effect of food increases slightly if the meal is more abundant, due to digestion. But splitting our meals into many small meals or three large meals does not affect the metabolism. There are simply those who digest better (and tolerate better) small and frequent meals, and those who are better off with three meals a day or two. They count calories, not frequency.
   5. If you have a slow metabolism, you can’t change it: unless you have particular metabolic syndromes, there are many ways to increase your metabolism. Feeding more properly, avoiding crash diets and gaining muscle mass with exercises that include weights. Likewise, short, intense HIIT-style workouts facilitate weight loss by raising energy demands. So, even if you tend to gain weight, you can always improve your metabolism.