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FROM PINEAPPLES TO PINE NUTS, WE'VE GOT 20 DIFFERENT FOODS SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN TO HELP YOU SHED THOSE EXTRA POUNDS

By Laura Bond

Berries
Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, black and red currants all stimulate the main organs that are involved in detoxification, boosting metabolism and making the body more efficient at burning fat.

Sesame seeds
They prevent cholestoral absorption and their high levels of zinc and selenium are great antioxidant cleansers. As an added bonus, they also strengthen the heart as well as the immune and nervous systems

Sardines
Loaded with protein, which helps stabilize blood sugar, eating sardines will also make you feel full and help to stimulate your metabolism.

Green tea
This natural weight-loss stimulant might not be a food but green tea is still a great slimming solution. Not to mention that it's rich in antioxidants, promotes heart health, aids digestion and regulates blood sugar and body temperature. Drinking it will also raise your metabolic rate and speed up fat oxidation, so helping you lose weight.

Olives and Olive Oil
Certain fats are good for you and your body needs them. And olive oil is one of those "good fats". In fact it's so good that it actually helps you burn fat and keeps your cholesterol down. However, it should be used in moderation because an excessive amount will have the opposite effect.

Eggs
The white of an egg is very high in protein and essential in helping your body break down and burn fat. Eggs will also help you feel full for longer and decrease your appetite.

Pineapple
Eating fruit in the morning helps you digest your food more efficiently during the day, and pineapple contains special digestive enzymes that work double time to help you digest food quickly.

Pine nuts
They're lower in total fat than most other nuts and high in protein, meaning they can increase the body's ability to burn fat as well as helping maintain low cholesterol. Pine nuts are a perfect replacement for those trying to avoid animal proteins.

Mushrooms
Mushrooms have got rather a lot going for them. This slow-release energy food thins the blood, improves circulation and boosts fat-burning abilities. Luckily they're a diverse food and come in a variety of flavours so are very versatile.

Celery
Use celery to bulk our your meals. Plus, it is so low in calories that you actually burn up more munching your way through it than you gain when you've digested it.

Lettuce
Highly diuretic, lettuce is an excellent choice for those suffering from water retention and bloating. Because it's rich in magnesium and iron, it also actually helps speed up the metabolism and has fat-dissolving properties too.

Cucumber
Made up of 96 per cent water, cucumbers are extremely cleansing and beneficial to dieters. They aid the digestive process  and are also a mild laxative.

Courgette
High in fibre, courgettes encourage a healthy digestive system, lower cholestorol and generally detoxify the body. They also soothe the liver and help the body's metabolism to function efficiently.

Seaweed
Contains excellent levels of iodine, an essential mineral that assists thyroid function, keeping the body's metabolism working at optimum levels and helping burn off fat.

Oats
One of the most nutritious grains, oats are full of proteins and minerals and contain a soluble fibre that helps the digestive system work at its best, helping to burn fat cells.

Tuna
A great detoxifier and immunity booster, tuna is also a superb source of essential fatty acids, important for burning excess fat, balancing blood sugar levels and banishing hunger pangs.

Spinach
A natural laxative, spinach aids in liver function, getting rid of the toxins present in our bodies. The B vitamins found in spinach also fight off infection and boost energy levels to fight long term fatigue and stress.

Apples
A chemical found in apples called pectin slows down the body's capacity to absorb other foods - including fat. They also encourage water consumption from the food which helps in releasing fat deposits from the body.

Chillies
Chillies are first-rate fat-burners and some research has found they can increase your calorie burn by up to 8 per cent for as long as three hours after eating. This is because the capsaicin found in them is a supernutrient that speeds up your metabolism and helps you burn off more energy.

Citrus fruits
Lemons, limes and oranges all contain Vitamin C which dilutes the fat, making it less effective. They also help in releasing fat from the body.

Photography: Alamy, Landmark Media