Of course, it is possible to speed up the metabolism. But how fast your body burns calories depends on a few things. Some people inherit a fast metabolism from their ancestors. Men tend to burn more calories than women, even at rest. But for most people, metabolism slows down regularly after age 40. While you can't control your age, gender, or genetics, there are other ways to improve your metabolism.

10 Ways to Speed Up Metabolism

Build Muscle

Even if you do nothing, your body is constantly burning calories. People with more muscle have a faster metabolism. Each pound of muscle burns about 6 calories a day to sustain itself, while each pound of fat burns only 2 calories a day.

Intense Workout

Aerobic exercise may not build big muscles, but it can boost your metabolism in the hours after exercise.

Water

Your body needs water to process calories. Even if you're mildly dehydrated, your metabolism can slow down. In one study, adults who drank eight or more glasses of water a day burned more calories than those who drank four glasses.

Energy Drinks

Some ingredients in energy drinks can speed up your metabolism. They're packed with caffeine, which increases the amount of energy your body uses. Sometimes they contain taurine, an amino acid. Taurine can boost your metabolism and help you burn fat.

Some Snacks

Eating more often can help you lose weight. When you eat large meals with long hours in between, your metabolism slows down between meals. Eating a small meal or snack every 3 to 4 hours keeps your metabolism running fast so you burn more calories throughout the day.

Hot Pepper

Spicy foods have natural chemicals that can kick your metabolism into a higher gear. Cooking meals with a tablespoon of chopped red or green pepper can boost your metabolic rate.

Protein

Your body burns more calories digesting protein than when you consume fat or carbohydrates. Replacing some carbohydrates with lean, protein-rich foods as part of a balanced diet can speed up metabolism at meals.

Coffee

When consumed in moderation, one of the benefits of coffee can be a short-term increase in your metabolic rate. Caffeine can help you feel less tired while exercising and even increase your stamina.

Green Tea

Drinking green tea or oolong tea offers the combined benefits of caffeine and catechins, substances that have been shown to speed up metabolism for several hours.

Source: WebMD - Photos: Unsplash