All fats are not the same, and it is critical to understand which forms of fat are the most hazardous. Now, if you’ve ever weighed yourself on a bioimpedance scale, you’ll notice that one parameter refers to visceral fat, or fat around your belly.
Why is visceral fat so dangerous?
The fat surrounding your abdomen is dangerous because it also surrounds your internal organs. Therefore, this type of fat promotes inflammatory processes: one of the most important causes of almost all diseases. In addition, it can negatively influence your metabolism.
High amounts of visceral fat can lead to insulin resistance and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension. As a result, this form of fat not only looks good, but it may also be extremely hazardous to your health.
How can you reduce abdominal fat?
Guess… healthy eating and exercise! If your belly fat percentage is high, you can reduce it relatively quickly with lifestyle changes. Various studies have been carried out and participants lost up to 14.6% of abdominal fat by combining diet and exercise for four months.
So there are no excuses, it’s time to get your act together!
5 natural foods to reduce visceral fat
Although there are no magic meals for reducing this type of fat, there are several that can enhance the percentage of this type of fat.
Turmeric
This spice is extensively used in India and has a potent antioxidant. Regular ingestion is strongly advised due to its anti-inflammatory qualities. Furthermore, it has a thermogenic effect, which boosts metabolism and aids weight reduction.
If you’re unsure how to use turmeric, here are some suggestions:
– Turmeric is the key component in curry, so if you enjoy it, use it liberally. Of course, get the spices and prepare the meals yourself, avoiding pre-cooked sauces.
– Turmeric may be added to scrambled eggs, vegetable creams, and even used as a culinary coloring.
-
Grapefruit
Although it is not a sweet fruit, it is a very nutritious citrus fruit. It might be expensive to consume grapefruit alone, but combining it with other sweeter fruits and making a wonderful smoothie is a better alternative.
It has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects. A research found that it not only helps eliminate belly fat, but also lowers blood pressure.
-
Green Tea
Green tea is included in practically all weight reduction strategies since it provides several health advantages. For example, it includes a high concentration of catechins, a plant ingredient classified as a polyphenol that helps to improve health. They protect against cancer, treat arthritis, and boost memory… fantastic!
Catechins also increase metabolism, making it simpler to lose weight.
If green tea is too bitter for you, consider blending it with other infusions such as mint, or add a natural sweetness like honey.
-
Dark chocolate
Did you think we weren’t going to mention any foods you like? Well, dark chocolate is extremely rich in antioxidants! Of course, it has to be pure, at least 70%. At first you may think that this chocolate is too bitter, but over time you will be able to get all its cocoa flavor out of it and it will also satisfy you much faster than less pure chocolates.
A clinical study was carried out with diabetics for 8 weeks. After two months, the waist circumference of the subjects who had consumed 30g of dark chocolate per day decreased by around one centimeter, in addition to reducing the percentage of total body fat.
So you know, an ounce of dessert!
-
Vitamin D
Did you realize that a big portion of the population is vitamin D deficient? Yes, even in sunny cities like Alicante.
It may sound impossible, but vitamin D deficiency can lead to fat buildup in the belly and around the organs. It is also associated with decreased muscular mass.
Conclusion
Hence, visceral fat has to be reduced since it represents several health risks because of its pro-inflammatory effects that cause insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and stroke. As such, the level of abdominal fat can be brought down considerably by a healthy diet as well as proper physical activity. There are certain specific foods that can serve the purpose. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and thermogenic, and thus it can increase the metabolism and lose weight at a faster rate.
Grapefruit is rich in antioxidants. It also aids in lowering blood pressure as well as abdominal fat. A good concentration of catechin makes Green Tea help increase metabolism hugely with very large foundational health benefits accruing from this tea. Dark chocolate, if with a high concentration of cocoa, is a huge store of antioxidants and may contribute to a reduction in waist size if taken in moderate quantities.
Finally, a good amount of Vitamin D should be ensured in the body because Vitamin D deficiency leads to enhanced abdominal fat and reduced muscle mass. The need to ensure visceral fat is located and reduced for overall wellbeing arises.