What is Ursolic Acid?

Ursolic acid is a molecule (from a class of chemicals called pentacyclic triterpenoids) which increases brown fat production. (Brown fat burns calories vs white fat which stores them).

Ursolic acid is found in apple peel, holy basil, rosemary leaf, yerba mate.

This molecule shows some promise for supplementation by body builders except that it has a very low bioavailabily (.6%).

It may also have an anti-tumour effect as well as reduce fight or flight activity. 

How can you stimulate the production of brown fat?

Exercise stimulates an enzyme called irisin which helps turn white fat into brown fat.

Ursolic acid (found in apple peel and other foods) can boost the body's production of brown fat.

Melatonin can help increase beige fat (which is like brown fat).

Being cold (i.e. shivering) makes brown fat more active (meaning more calories are burnt).

Does chewing gum help promote weight loss?

Studies have shown that chewing gum can help promote weight loss.

In a University of Rhode Island research study, gum chewers ate 68 fewer calories at lunch, plus burned 5% more calories than non-gum chewers.

A Louisiana State University (Dr Paula J Geiselman) study, found  that chewing gum helped control appetites and decreased daily intake of food by 40 calories.

Cutting 100 calories a day can result in loosing up to 10 pounds a year.

Reaching for a piece of gum instead of high caloried junk food, can help you loose up to two pounds a year.