Burn belly fat fast: These surprising foods could trigger body's fat-melting power, says scientist
Fat loss isn't easy to achieve and one of the most stubborn and harmful types is belly fat. Hidden deep inside, wrapped around the internal organs, it can fuel chronic inflammation and is linked to a range of serious health issues, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancers, and dementia.
The good news is there's a secret ally inside your body that can be activated to help destroy this dangerous fat.
Dr William Li
, the bestselling author of book Eat to Beat Your Diet talks about the many side effects of
visceral fat
, more popularly known as belly fat, and suggests a mechanism that can kill this fat.
Dr Li says the best way to burn this 'wiggly jiggly' (visceral) fat is by activating brown fat - a type of fat that burns calories to generate heat.
The expert says there is a small percentage of brown fat in the body found around our necks, under our breastbone, a little bit on shoulder blades and scattered in the belly a bit.
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Brown fat, also known as
brown adipose tissue
(BAT) helps regulate body temperature, especially in cold conditions. It burns calories to generate heat, unlike white fat which primarily stores energy.
Dr Li suggests five foods that can help burn white fat by activating brown fat:
Apples
These wonderful fruits have chlorogenic acid inside their flesh, which turns on the brown fat and starts to burn down your white fat.
Apples have around 86% water and can be quite filling. They are fibre-rich and a low-calorie fruit. Enjoying the fruit can help manage blood sugar levels, heart health, and brain function.
Broccoli or Kale
These low-calorie and nutrient-dense veggies are a storehouse of phytochemicals called sulforaphane, which helps to
activate brown fat
cells.
Besides, broccoli and kale are full of antioxidants, and can help boost immunity and
reduce inflammation
in the body.
Bok Choy
Bok Choy or Chinese cabbage can be turned into a delicious preparation in just a few minutes. Cooking them in olive oil can help you get hydroxytyrosol and oleocanthal, both of which can activate brown fat.
According to studies, hydroxytyrosol can increase fatty acid oxidation, potentially boosting the body's ability to burn fat. It may help cut down inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity, which can aid in
weight loss
.
"You cut off the bottoms, you wash the leaves, take a wok or a skillet, a little extra virgin olive oil, a little garlic, [and] sauté that up," advises the expert.
By tapping into the body's natural fat-fighting systems, you can shrink belly fat and reclaim your health. Dr. Li's insights certainly offer a science-backed roadmap to a leaner, stronger you.
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