According to one study at the University of Maryland Medical Center, it took only took 3.5 grams of black licorice for a group of people to lose significant body fat in two months!

US researchers have confirmed black pepper’s antioxidant content (which aids weight loss) and anti-inflammatory abilities, while scientists in India say it can also improve digestion. It seems, the ingredient in pepper, piperine, that makes people sneeze also stimulates the production of the digestive enzymes in the pancreas, significantly reducing the time taken for food to travel through the intestines.

Experts note that chemicals called lignans that are found in some plants, including sesame seeds, may help you burn more fat because they cause your body to release more fat-burning liver enzymes. An article published in Recent Patents on Food, Nutrition & Agriculture in January 2011 notes that sesame seeds contain about 2.5 per cent of these lignans, which may inhibit the formation and absorption of cholesterol.

Compared to the green variety, black olives contain extra antioxidants including apigenin, which has been shown to protect against certain types of cancer. Olives are also a rich source of phytochemical that boosts the body’s production of a fat-metabolising protein.

Berries are potent sources of antioxidants that essentially act like little bodyguards protecting cells from damage, which can lead to premature aging and disease. But antioxidants are also linked to weight control. Blackberries contain a large amount of water, which is why eating them is a low-calorie way to fill you up during weight loss. One cup of raw blackberries provides you with only 62 calories, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database.

Black beans are one of the best foods for your health, your budget and your waistline. They are a welcome addition to weight-loss meal plans because they are packed with essential nutrients and help keep you feeling full for long periods of time. This is very important if you are trying to lose weight and can’t stand feeling hungry all of the time.

Chia seeds are good for detoxification as they help you remove the toxins from your body. Another property that makes chia seeds effective for losing weight is their ability to absorb water. This gives you a full feeling for a longer time, keeping your satisfied without feeling hungry all the time.

South Korean researchers say black rice increases levels of HDL. Meanwhile, scientists in Taiwan say the anthocyanin antioxidants, the pigments responsible for the rice’s distinctive colour, inhibit cancer cells. It also contains dietary fiber, anti-inflammatory properties, and has the ability to help stop the development of diabetes, cancer, heart disease and even weight gain.

Low in calories and high in nutrition, lentils are the perfect legume to eat in salads, spreads, for crudité and crackers, and as an item on a vegetarian dinner plate.Although lentils include all these beneficial nutrients like fibre, protein, minerals and vitamins, they are still low in calories and contain virtually no fat. One cup of cooked lentils only contains about 230 calories, but still leaves you feeling full and satisfied.

There is more to drinking coffee than meets the eye. Drinking coffee gives us the boost we need to get up in the morning. It has been found to promote enhance fat burning, giving you a boost in your metabolism. This is why coffee has come to be used in many diet programs.

Text: Bauer/ Good Health/ Additional Reporting: Shenielle Aloysis