Excess belly fat can be associated with serious health conditions such as heart attacks or strokes due to the bypass of vital organs. Loss of this type of fat can be achieved with the right foods
Eating more thermogenic and high-protein foods helps with belly fat (
Image: Getty Images)
Belly fat is not only a problem if you dream of a pack of six, but it can have serious health consequences as it surrounds your vital organs.
The best way to help your body burn body fat is to drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and eat so-called thermogenic foods, according to a study published in the Springer Open.
Thermogenic foods can help boost metabolism and burn calories by boosting thermogenesis, a process in which the body burns calories to use freshly eaten foods, converting those calories into heat.
The body burns mainly calories consumed by maintaining its regular metabolic functions and through physical activity, but some calories are also burned through thermogenesis caused by diet.
What foods can I eat that are thermogenic?
You can burn belly fat by eating certain foods (
Image:
Getty Images)
Below are some thermogenic foods that could boost your metabolism and burn belly fat.
- Capsaicin in hot peppers
- Some spices like pepper
- ginger
- Coconut oil
- Protein
How protein helps burn belly fat
Protein can be an effective way to reduce belly fat. Its main purpose is to build and repair body tissue, which means it is an essential part of your survival.
According to healthcare provider Bupa, “protein can be a good way to lose weight because it makes you feel fuller than carbs and fats.”
It adds: “If you include a pure source of protein in your diet, you may find that you are not so hungry and therefore eat less.
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Past studies have shown that higher protein intake reduces appetite by 60%.
It has also been found that protein intake can boost metabolism by 80-100 calories per day.
A research paper published in the journal Obesity in 2011 examined the effects of dietary protein on perceived appetite during weight loss.
The researchers experimented on a sample of 27 overweight and obese men.
The sample was divided into three groups, two of which consumed high protein as three or six meals a day, while a third consumed three meals with traditional intake.
The study found that increasing protein intake to make up 25% of calories can reduce appetite by 60%.
The results also revealed that this could halve the desire for breakfast at night.
What are the risks of belly fat?
Excess belly fat can be dangerous because it surrounds the internal organs and puts you at greater risk of developing several types of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and liver problems.
When medical professionals point to belly fat, they mean visceral fat, not subcutaneous fat. In simple words, this means fats that are stored deeper in your body, closer to your organs.
Visceral fat is usually recognized as more dangerous than subcutaneous fat.
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