Did you know that more than 1 in 3 Americans are obese? Obesity is a health disorder in which there is excessive accumulation of fat in the body. This results in being overweight and associated health problems.Obesity is determined by measuring a person’s Body Mass Index (BMI) — the measure of body fat based on one’s height and weight. Generally, a BMI between 18.5 and 25 is considered desirable. If your BMI is between “25 – 29.9”, then you are deemed overweight; if it is 30 or more, you are considered obese.
This problem is mostly attributed to poor lifestyle choices, such as an unbalanced diet, eating processed foods high in fat, oversized food portions, overeating, excessive drinking, lack of physical activity, lack of sufficient sleep, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, medications, psychological issues, social issues etc.Genetic factors and hormonal problems also tend to increase the risk of developing obesity. Obesity is a great concern not merely because of the excess weight, but also because it puts you at risk for a number of serious health problems such as insulin resistance, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, gallstones, gout, arthritis, certain cancers, and other chronic illnesses.
* Lemon JuiceLemon juice is one of the best home remedies for fighting obesity. It is rich in fiber, vitamins like vitamin B and C, minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and phosphorusIt helps improve digestion and aids in detoxification. Healthy digestion is an essential pre-requisite for weight loss as it helps your body get the nutrients required to burn fat. The citric acid present in lemons is very effective in burning fat. Furthermore, it helps remove toxins from your body that slow down your metabolism. A recent study published in the journal of Nutrition Research in 2015 showed that a lemon detox program was very effective in reducing fat and insulin resistance in a group of overweight Korean women in comparison to the control group.
* Apple Cider VinegarRaw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is another popular home remedy to reduce excess weight. Though the actual weight loss benefits of it are still unknown, preliminary research has shown that it can help protect against obesity.Apple cider vinegar (ACV) was found to decrease cholesterol in animals fed high cholesterol diet in comparison to the controls in animal models.
* Aloe VeraAloe vera is useful in treating obesity because it stimulates metabolism, increases energy consumption, and mobilizes unused fat in the body. Aloe vera contains more than 75 different biologically active substances. This plant has been used in traditional medicine for wound healing, anti-inflammatory activity, antiseptic properties and also as a laxative .
* Green TeaGreen tea is another popular natural remedy to promote weight loss. Green tea is rich in polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin, and epicatechin gallate which are beneficial for health. Drink about three to four cups of green tea daily to combat obesity. You can also combine it with ginger tea or cayenne pepper.
* Cayenne PepperCayenne pepper helps control obesity and aids in weight loss. It contains capsaicin that stimulates your body to burn fat and increase energy expenditure.Make cayenne pepper tea by pouring a glass of hot water over cayenne pepper (start with one-tenth of a teaspoon or just a dash of cayenne pepper and gradually increase its quantity to one teaspoon). Squeeze the juice from half a lemon in it. Drink this tea regularly at least for a month.