When people think of weight loss, they consider the various things they must cut from their diet and avoid eating. Though you will lose weight when you stop eating certain foods and cut back on your overall caloric intake, you can also promote weight loss by adding things to your diet.

Herbs and spices have no effect on your daily caloric intake, but they have a significant effect on how your body works and how you eat. Herbs and spices add flavor to food, allowing you to eat less, but still satiate your appetite. Various herbs and spices also offer specific health benefits, which play a role in how efficiently your body loses weight.

What are the 9 best herbs and spices you can eat to help you reduce your weight?

1. Turmeric

This yellow spice is used to make curry and is a common component in Indian dishes. It is one of the most celebrated spices when it comes to health because it is known to reduce inflammation in the body. Health experts believe inflammation plays a role in obesity and that it makes it more difficult for the body to drop excess weight.

2. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a weight loss superstar because it revs the metabolism. This is due to a compound known as dyhydrocapsiate and research shows it works best when eaten multiple times per day. If possible, add a sprinkle of cayenne to every meal.

Most people assume there is no way spicy cayenne pepper could find its way into so many meals, but heres a tip: sprinkle a little cayenne into sweet dishes to enhance the flavor. Cayenne pairs remarkably well with chocolate, so you can satisfy your sweet tooth and speed your metabolism at the same time.

3. Black Pepper

Cayenne isnt the only pepper on the weight loss list. Black pepper is packed with flavor, but doesnt provide as much heat as cayenne. Like cayenne, though, a compound in black pepper known as piperine boosts your metabolism, allowing you to burn calories more efficiently.

4. Ginger

Ginger promotes healthy digestion and reduces your appetite, so youll want to eat less. It also pairs well with fish, which is packed with protein, low in calories, and great for heart health.

5. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a commonly used spice, especially when it comes to sweet dishes. Cinnamon helps to balance insulin levels, which prevents excessive hunger and reduces your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

6. Parsley

Many regard it as nothing more than a garnish, but parsley actually reduces the presence of glucose in the blood. This helps to control your appetite, turn food into energy, and improve overall health.

7. Cloves

These little black balls help speed the metabolism and pair well with a variety of savory dishes.

8. Garlic

Garlic is an herb that is popular in the weight loss and health community. It helps the body better metabolize carbohydrates and fats, and some studies have shown that it prevents the body from turning calories into body fat.

9. Peppermint

This herb offers a number of digestive benefits, but research shows it can also help you eat less. One study, conducted at the Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia, showed that inhaling peppermint every two hours resulted in test subjects eating fewer calories throughout two five day periods. Additionally, the calories that were consumed were lower in saturated fat, total fat, and sugar.

The subjects in the study used an inhalator to get their peppermint fix throughout the day, but you can brew a cup of peppermint tea to sip periodically or add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to a cloth that you keep with you. Ive tried the peppermint trick and Ive also noticed I feel more alert and happy, in addition to staving off my cravings.

Weight loss is different for everyone, but most agree it is a tough challenge. Adding these herbs and spices to your life can make your weight loss journey a lot easier.

Let us know here at MHLC if you have any weight loss tricks or if you have noticed a difference in weight loss after adding any of these herbs and spices to your diet.