MateFit - 6 Metabolism Myths That Are Hurting Your Health

There is so much misinformation available online about the human metabolism that sometimes even the smartest people end up getting duped. A lot of this bad information is easy to spot—as the saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. However, there are plenty of metabolism mistakes that sound perfectly reasonable, which is why it’s important to always do your research. Here are seven metabolism myths that we’re setting the record straight on.

1) Your metabolism slows down at night

There are a ton of fad diets out there that are based around the idea that eliminating night eating will help you lose weight since your metabolism slows down after dark. However, there are no widely accepted studies that can back this claim up. While eating a ton right before bed might give you a stomachache in the morning, there’s no evidence that the food you eat then will be converted to fat more easily.

 

2) Your metabolism is unchangeable

While your metabolic rate is mostly up to genetics, it’s not entirely out of your control. When you make the switch to a healthy diet, over time your body begins to adjust to these changes by making your metabolism more efficient!

 

3) Spicy foods can speed up your metabolism

Everyone loves the zing of a nice, spicy dish, but can these fiery foods really speed up your metabolism? Unfortunately, the answer is probably no. However, this doesn’t mean you should ditch them altogether—the capsaicin found in spicy peppers has numerous health benefits and has even been studied as a potential cancer cure!

 

4) Your metabolism slows naturally as you age

While it’s true that many elderly people have slower metabolisms than their younger counterparts, this is not inevitable. Regular exercise will help prevent the loss of muscle mass in older people, which is the main cause of a slower metabolism.

 

5) Some people have metabolisms that allow them to eat whatever they want

Often times, people attribute their inability to maintain a healthy weight to their metabolism by pointing to thin acquaintances who can seemingly eat whatever they want without gaining a single pound. However, science has demonstrated that, except in especially rare genetic cases, our individual metabolisms don’t vary that drastically from one another.

 

6) Our metabolisms run like clockwork

The human body is not a machine, and your metabolism is no exception to this rule. While science can uncover certain useful calculations about our metabolic needs, there is no way to be sure of these all the time, as our metabolisms are constantly in flux