4. Omega-6 fatty acids
By now, everyone has heard about the amazing benefits omega-3 fatty acids provide, that are found in walnuts, chia seeds, eggs yolk, salmon etc, however, they should not be confused with the similarly sounding omega-6 fatty acids. The latter which can be found in pork, chicken, butter and various sugary foods, could be slowing down your metabolism. Our ancestors’ diet used to have the right balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, but today, modern food processing technology has left us with hydrogenated fats and vegetable oils, which are rich in omega-6, making them pro-inflammatory and correlated with obesity.
One study, in fact, has found that a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids and a high omega-6/3 ratio is connected to fat gain in both humans and animals. On the other hand, high amount of omega-2 intake lowers the risk of gaining weight. What’s even more interesting is that the study found that omega-6 increase insulin resistance, which makes our bodies convert a big amount of the ingested carbs into fat.
5. Soda or high fructose corn syrup
There have been a lot of warnings in recent years that you should avoid high fructose corn syrup. Its consumption is proven to be related to “metabolic syndrome” which is a common name for a group of risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. It can be found in many foods that are processed and in many soft drinks, which people usually buy because of how seemingly tasty and cheap the products are.
It’s also been discussed among scientists that fructose that is ingested in the same amounts as any other sugar can have more damaging effects on your metabolism. One study has found that high fructose corn syrup leads to obesity because of the negative effects it has on your metabolism.
