A person’s metabolism is the rate at which their body burns calories for energy. The speed of metabolism depends age, activity levels, genetics and other factors. Regular meals, sleep, and exercise may all help boost metabolism.
Calories provide the energy the body needs, not only to move but also to breathe, digest food, circulate blood, grow cells, repair wounds, and even to think. The rate at which the body burns calories to produce this energy is called the metabolic rate.
The rate can vary between individuals. Factors affecting it include age, sex, and the activity the person is carrying out at the time.
While a person has no control over the genetic aspects of their metabolism, research shows that some strategies may help speed up the rate at which the body processes calories.
It is worth noting that, while speeding up the metabolism may help people burn calories and lose weight, it needs to be part of an overall strategy that includes a healthy and varied diet and regular exercise.
In this article, learn about 10 approaches that may help increase metabolism.

The body relies on balance and regularity.
In 2019, some
They suggested that the following may provide health benefits:
- eat breakfast
- consume most energy-providing foods early in the day
- eat two to three meals per day at regular times
- have periods of fasting
The authors also hypothesized that meal timing may play a role in resting energy expenditure. However, the results were not conclusive, and more reseach is needed.
Learn about time-restricted eating, which focuses on the timing of meals to improve health and gain muscle.
Some people skip meals as a way to lose weight. However, this can negatively impact metabolism. Eating meals that are not filling can have the same effect.
Eating too few calories can cause a person’s metabolism to slow down so the body can conserve energy, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
According to current dietary guidelines, adult females aged 19 and over need
Reducing calories may not increase metabolic rate, but the choice of foods that provide those calories may do. Protein, for example, may be more likely than carbohydrates or fat to promote thermogenesis, the burning of calories in the body
In a 2020
While the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says any increase is likely to be small, green tea may help manage weight and health in other ways.
For example:
- Consuming green tea instead of sugary sodas and juices can reduce sugar intake.
- Drinking green tea throughout the day can help a person stay hydrated.
- The antioxidants in green tea may
help reduce the risk of inflammation, cell damage, and heart disease, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says it is safe to consume up to
People should speak with a doctor before increasing their intake of green tea or consuming it during pregnancy. It may interact with some medications. During pregnancy, it may increase the risk of birth defects due to low folic acid levels.
Strength training helps build muscle, and it may slightly increase a person’s rate of metabolism while resting, for example, when they are sleeping or sitting.
The authors of a small
In one
Resistance training may involve lifting weights and doing exercises that use the weight of the body or resistance bands to build muscle.
A previous
Interval training is highly intensive and may be more suitable for people who are already fit than those who are new to regular exercise.
Staying hydrated is essential for the body to function at its best. Water is necessary for optimal metabolism, and it may help a person lose weight.
In 2016, scientists assessed the metabolic rate of 13 people who consumed either 250 or 500 milliliters (ml) of water. They found evidence of increased fat oxidation after 500 ml when a person is at rest, and concluded that drinking water may have an impact on metabolism. However, they did not find that it increased metabolic rate.
This may happen because the additional water helps the body burn fat preferentially over carbohydrate.
Stress affects hormone levels, and it can cause the body to produce more cortisol than usual.
Cortisol is a hormone that helps regulate appetite. In 2011,
However, the authors of a small
Stress could also have an indirect impact by affecting eating patterns and sleep, both of which can alter the rate of metabolism.
People who have less sleep may have a lower metabolic rate, according to
The authors believed the body reduces metabolic rate to conserve energy when a person sleeps less. They noted this could lead to weight gain in people who do not get enough sleep.
The need for sleep varies between individuals, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that adults aged 18–60 should have at least
Vitamins play an essential role in metabolism.
The
More research may be needed to understand the relationship between vitamins, metabolism, and weight loss.
Some
A 2014
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that while eating hot chilies might boost metabolic rate temporarily, it is unlikely to have a significant impact.
People with low levels of thyroid hormone may have a slower metabolism.
Thyroid hormone stimulates the production of substances that increase oxygen consumption, respiration rate, and body temperature. This involves a
Conversely, the body of a person with hypothyroidism is likely to burn energy at
For those with hypothyroidism, taking medications that increase the levels of thyroid hormone
Seeking help for hypothyroidism can help speed up metabolic rate and reduce the risk of complications linked to this condition.
Here are some answers to questions people often ask about metabolic rate.
What is metabolic rate?
Metabolic rate refers to the rate at which the body uses energy and burns calories. The resting metabolic rate (RMR), also known as resting energy expenditure (REE),
What is a high metabolic rate?
Metabolic rates
What can increase metabolic rate?
Factors that may increase a person’s metabolic rate include consuming an appropriate number of calories, favoring protein over carbohydrates and fat, getting enough sleep, and some types of exercise, such as resistance training.
It is not always possible for a person to change their metabolic rate, but exercise and dietary measures may help.
A good metabolic rate may help with weight management. But for those seeking to lose weight, it is better to focus on eating a varied diet with plenty of whole foods and being physically active. While some foods, such as spices, may help boost rates temporarily, they are not a long term solution.
It is always best to speak with a doctor before adjusting the diet or making changes to an exercise routine.