Visceral fat: Steer clear of sugary drinks to get rid of the belly fat

Visceral fat is commonly referred to as abdominal fat, but it is also the kind of fat that can increase a person’s risk of developing serious conditions down the road. Fortunately, one of the ways to reduce this type of fat is by avoiding certain drinks.

Popularly known as belly fat or abdominal fat, visceral fat is located at the abdominal cavity, and is a result of unhealthy dietary choices. The buildup of this kind of fat will increase a person’s risk of developing serious conditions such as heart disease. This kind of fat can be reduced, and one of the ways, as Express reports, is by avoiding or reducing intake of sugar-sweetened drinks.

Sugar is one of the culprits in the buildup of visceral fat, and a study referred to as the Framingham Heart Study, showed that among middle-aged adults, there is a link between sugar-sweetened beverages and increased visceral fat. The researchers, however, did not find this link when it came to drinking diet soda, which is often promoted as having little to no sugar. Adding to that, there is also a link between drinking sugar-sweetened beverages and heart disease as well as type 2 diabetes.

Although the exact biological process is unknown, researchers believe that it is the added sugars that is causing the problem. This is because added sugars are made up of 50 percent fructose, which is a type of sugar that is metabolized by the liver. A lot of fructose can lead to visceral fat buildup as it gets metabolized into fat.

Along with added sugars, Express also reports that avoiding or at least limiting the intake of alcoholic beverages can also help reduce visceral fat. A lot of studies have also backed this up. One particular study involving over 8,000 Korean adults found a link between increased alcohol consumption and a bigger waistline, which is the indicator of visceral fat.

This is because the liver tends to burn off the alcohol first before metabolizing the fat, leading to a buildup. Because beer and alcoholic beverages, in general, have a tendency to increase appetite in people, this leads to overeating, especially with snacks and food commonly paired with these drinks.

Experts advise reducing intake of complex carbohydrates and loading up on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats for a balanced diet to reduce the visceral fat. They also advise engaging in at least 2 hours of exercise as well.