One easy way to lose weight is eating cottage cheese before bedtime as it can boost metabolism, a new study has found.
Cottage Cheese Before Bed
In fact, eating two tablespoons of cottage cheese about an hour to 30 minutes before going to sleep can do wonders to a person's health. The low-calorie, high-protein food could replace regular health drinks such as protein shakes, and supplements.
The study published in the British Journal of Nutrition involved 10 active women in their 20s. Each woman was given about 30 grams of cottage cheese 30 minutes to an hour before they go to sleep or two hours after dinner. Upon waking up, the team of researchers measured the participants' resting energy expenditure or the amount of energy they burned while sleeping and their appetites.
The goal of the study was to examine whether there is a difference between consuming whole food protein versus liquid protein. Surprisingly, the results showed that eating two tablespoons of cottage cheese before bedtime could give the same effect as shakes. Participants also did not gain body fat from cottage cheese during the experiment.
Eating To Lose Weight
The researchers boast that this study is the first to prove that eating whole foods as opposed to protein shakes or dietary supplements could be good for the health.
"While protein supplements absolutely have their place, it is important to begin pooling data for foods and understanding the role they can play in these situations," explained Florida State University student Samantha Leyh. "Like the additive and synergistic effects of vitamins and minerals when consumed in whole food form such as fruits or veggies, perhaps whole food sources may follow suit."
Researchers, however, warned that their findings cannot be applied to all whole foods. Additional studies are still needed to see whether other foods will have the same effects to a person's health and well-being as cottage cheese.
Michael Ormsbee, an associate professor from Florida State University, assured that they will continue looking at other food choices that can help people recover from exercise, lose weight, and gain a better overall health.
"There is much more to uncover in this area of study," Ormsbee added.
