When some people enter a room, they do so belly first. This is because they have bellies that, literally, overflow and distort their frame.
Socially, belly fat, medically known as omentum or visceral fat, does not flatter the ego. And when it comes to overall wellbeing, physicians have an axe to grind with it simply because most medical books consider it a threat to health.
When some people enter a room, they do so belly first. This is because they have bellies that, literally, overflow and distort their frame.
Socially, belly fat, medically known as omentum or visceral fat, does not flatter the ego. And when it comes to overall wellbeing, physicians have an axe to grind with it simply because most medical books consider it a threat to health.
For one, experts fear that intra-abdominal adiposity (belly fat!) poses health risks to the heart, and in some instances, it has been implicated as being responsible for some cancers. It also puts a person at risks of diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke.
Worse still, experts fear, stomach fat has a life of its own, as it produces hormones and inflammatory substances that wreck havoc on health. This is because, according to the online portal, webmd.com, “Abdominal fat is thought to break down easily into fatty acids, which flow directly into the liver and into the muscle.”
Scientists at Harvard Women’s Health Watch also warn that “Indeed, belly fat is a key indicator of ‘metabolic syndrome,’ a cluster of abnormalities that include high levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and triglycerides (a type of fat found in blood, too much of which may raise the risk of coronary artery disease, especially in women); as well as low levels of ‘good’ cholesterol. This combination of risks has an impact on mortality from heart disease.”
Worse still, a large belly — also derisively called spare tyre — has also been linked to erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men over age 60!
Genetically, men are said to be prone to developing belly fat than are women; and, scientists note, it’s one of the reasons men have more coronary disease than women.
By the way, experts are of the view that skinny people also hide unhealthy visceral fats in their body. According to research, such fat may be tucked inside the belly around the stomach organs, and it’s visible only by CT or MRI imaging.
“This fat puts people at the same health risks as someone with more obvious big stomach,” they warn.
What to do
Cardiologists advise that the best way to avoid all-cause mortality (death from any cause whatsoever) is to find a healthy way of shrinking your belly fat and maintaining it. Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Omobola Olushola-John, advises that you reduce sweets, cookies, white bread and other foods made with highly processed grains or those that are full of added sugar.
She also counsels that you stay active by exercising daily; while reducing your portion sizes should also become a virtue for daily living.
Drinks to the rescue
But beyond this, there are also drinks, yes, that you can take and through which you can maintain trim mid-region and keep it so. What are these drinks? Here…
Flavoured water
It is rather surprising that some people find it difficult to quench their thirst with water; yet, sugary drinks are one of the contributory factors for belly fat!
Generally, when you are trying to rid yourself of abdominal obesity, in addition to regular exercise, you must drink water regularly to make for hydration and help your body to maintain proper fluid balance.
Olushola-John says fluid balance would stop water retention — which is responsible for bloated bellies; and helps you to feel full and thus eat less.
She says you may ‘spice’ your water with lemon, sliced cucumbers, etc.
Drink watermelon juice
Nutritionists warn that the idea of juice intake is always defeated when you buy already made ‘fruit juices’ that are nothing but flavour, concentrates and sugared beverages.
A nutritionist, Mr. David Olakunle, says when you juice watermelon, for instance, with no added sugar or any other additive whatsoever, you will be drinking a low-calorie drink that not only naturally hydrates you, but also contains other health benefits that help you to burn belly fat.
This is because the fruit contains arginine, an amino acid that researchers, in a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, say can decrease body fat and increase lean muscle mass.
Peppermint tea
This tea is one of the most popular you can get in any upscale supermarket. After preparing it, you can refrigerate it to make for cool drink in the afternoon.
But beyond cooling your nerves on a hot day, nutritionists contend that its peppermint content helps the stomach to process fat, effectively enabling you to digest even high-fat foods fast enough and thus save you from bloating.
Pineapple juice
Pineapples are favourite fruit for many people, especially for those who are not diabetic. Nutritionists say it contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps in breaking down protein, ease digestion, and get rid of bloating. Drink it to your satisfaction and see its wonders.
Drink green tea
Researchers say green tea contains maximum amount of antioxidants and poly-phenols — substances that increase metabolism.
“The poly-phenols found in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories,” experts say.
Again, studies show that catechins — antioxidants found in green tea — can help reduce belly fat. Olakunle says if you take green tea before a workout, these compounds can increase your fat burn during aerobic exercise.
Plus, green tea reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, saving you from fat accumulation and reducing your waist line.
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