What if there is a way to fire up the body’s extra fat by changing what’s on the plate? Emerging research shows that the right foods don’t just fill you up, but they help fire up your metabolism and target white fat, which is known as the hardest to lose.

Yes! Indeed, physician and scientist Dr. William Li , in a recent podcast interview with Mel Robbins on the Mel Robbins podcast, talks about how that stubborn white body fat can quickly go away with just these five fat-burning foods. With over 30 years of research findings gathered, Dr. Li talks about how certain foods can be revolutionary; everyday staple foods such as apples and broccoli can help in reducing that thick body fat.

Dr. Li points out that not every fat in the body is bad. While white fat accumulates excess calories, brown fat burns energy to produce heat, which is called thermogenesis. You can activate brown fat and boost your metabolism, as well as shed unwanted white fat.

These are the five foods Dr. Li focuses on:

Apples Apples are more than a low-calorie snack; they contain a high concentration of polyphenols and dietary fiber, including pectin, that promote gut health and digestion. One of the most important fat-fighting ingredients in apples is ursolic acid, found mostly in the skin. This ingredient has been found to boost brown fat activity and muscle mass while decreasing white fat. Brown fat burns calories to produce heat and may assist in body weight management. Dr. Li points out that the daily consumption of apples, with the skin intact, will naturally induce body thermogenesis, assisting in fat loss and metabolic rate in the long run.
Tomatoes

Tomatoes are full of lycopene, an antioxidant that is anti-inflammatory in nature. As Dr. Li pointed out, Lycopene has an important function in boosting metabolic health by inducing the browning of white fat into brown fat. This makes the body metabolize stored fat more effectively. Tomatoes are also rich in fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, which are good for heart health and digestion. The water content ensures satiety, so you feel full even if you are eating less. Adding tomatoes—raw or cooked—can be a healthy nutritional step to induce fat-burning processes and reduce total body fat.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are stores of antioxidants, packed with punicalagins and ellagic acid that combat inflammation and protect the heart. Dr. Li points out that pomegranates are rich in natural substances that impact fat storage and metabolism-related gene expression. Particularly, they help lower oxidative stress in fat tissue and enhance mitochondrial health in brown fat cells. These actions together benefit the browning of white fat and stimulation of thermogenic activity. Daily intake of pomegranate juice or seeds can boost metabolic rate, manage appetite, and help decrease those pesky belly fats while maintaining overall health.

Kiwis

Kiwis are tiny fruits filled with enormous nutritional advantages. They are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Dr. Li says that kiwis can improve digestion and blood sugar control, which are important for managing hunger and avoiding the storage of fat. Their high fiber intake supports a balanced gut microbiome, which is now known to affect fat metabolism and inflammation. Kiwis also have actinidin, a protein-digesting enzyme. Consume kiwis daily and support satiety and brown fat activation through them, and they are a good inclusion in a weight-reduction or fat-loss diet plan.

Matcha

Matcha is a ground form of finely powdered green tea leaves cultivated specially for this purpose. It is packed with concentrated amounts of catechins, especially EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which have been studied in great detail for their fat-loss effects. Dr. Li continues that these catechins can stimulate brown fat activity and enhance thermogenesis. Matcha also has moderate caffeine levels, which have a synergistic action with catechins to enhance metabolism and assist fat oxidation. Unlike green tea, matcha is ingested in its whole form, having a greater effect. Adding matcha to your daily life as either a tea or smoothie ingredient can assist in boosting fat-burning and increasing energy.

Dr. William Li’s research offers a refreshing shift from conventional weight-loss methods by focusing on natural, science-backed nutrition. Rather than relying on restrictive diets, its time to make them more fun. his fat-burning food philosophy centers on empowering the body to work smarter through what we eat.