Having a trim midsection isn’t just a cool thing, it’s also healthy too. When you have got loads of belly fat stocked in there, it could be dangerous as it secretes proteins that can trigger chronic inflammation, putting you at risk for heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
Below are 5 ways to lose belly fat
1. EXERCISE:
While core exercises will strengthen your abs, they won’t eliminate the fat that lies beneath them. So while you do your core exercises daily, ensure you add cardio (running, walking and biking). According to a Duke University study, people who did moderate cardio for 178 minutes per week (roughly 30 minutes of walking six days per week) gained hardly any visceral fat over the course of eight months. Participants who worked out at a higher intensity (jogging) for a similar amount of time saw even better results — reducing their belly fat by almost 7 percent. So you have another reason to jog.
2. GREEN TEA:
Catechins are antioxidants that help burn fat cells and a good source of catechins is the green tea. So if you want to lose your belly fat, take green tea with catechins.
3. EAT HEALTHY FATS:
According to a research in the journal Diabetes Care, people who got roughly 25 percent of their total daily calories from MUFAs gained no visceral fat over the course of the study, while those who ate less MUFAs and more carbs added fat to their midsections. Good sources of healthy fats include olive oil, avocados and nuts.
4. ENSURE YOUR BODY ISN’T LOW ON CALCIUM:
Making sure your body isn’t low on calcium would help you fight against belly fat. Your body produces a hormone that signals the body to store visceral fat when the body is low on calcium. Studies have shown calcium from dairy has more effect than calcium from other sources so ensure you get your calcium from low-fat dairy products.
5. EAT LOW-GLYCEMIC-INDEX FOODS:
Foods that are high on the glycemic index (GI) cause more rapid spikes in your blood sugar, in turn triggering the release of cortisol when glucose levels crash and it has been discovered that people with high levels of cortisol tend to carry excess visceral fat. Avoid or reduce intake of high-glycemic index foods like white rice and potatoes and go for low-glycemic index foods like beans.
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