Jul 1, 2009 1:38 pm US/Pacific
Study: Water-Rich Fruits, Vegetables Help Shed Fat
Whole Grains, Water Rich Foods Can Help Trim Belly Fat Faster
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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As beach season heats up, many are worried about their bellies, but it's not just appearance that matters. More than any other part of the body, belly fat is especially dangerous because it's close to the heart. (File)
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As beach season heats up, many are worried about their bellies, but it's not just appearance that matters, CBS station WCBS-TV reported.
More than any other part of the body, belly fat is especially dangerous because it's close to the heart.
It leads to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses at higher rates than fat elsewhere in the body. And to add insult to injury, a new study says tummy fat creates more fat.
"What your belly fat does is create a hormone that sends a signal to your brain that tells your brain it's hungry," says Samantha Cassetty, nutrition director at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute.
But new research from
The Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows whole grains and water-rich foods can help you lose belly fat faster.
"Barley, bulgur, quinoa, oats, as well as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, oranges, berries will help keep you full and will reduce the fat around your middle," says Cassetty.
Water-rich fruits and vegetables, like spinach, broccoli, apples, and blueberries, are thought to take more energy to break down in the stomach than their caloric worth, resulting in negative calories.
Americans can measure their waists to see if they're at risk. Studies show women with waistlines more than 35 inches double their chances of dying from cardiovascular disease.
To combat an increasing waistline, there are a variety of foods to help. Eggs, skim milk, and other low fat dairy products can keep you full for longer and provide you with needed energy.
In addition to eating healthy, exercise is crucial when trimming down the tummy. Exercises that focus on the core are guaranteed to tighten the abdominal muscles. Personal trainer Carlos Davila says the key is creating a routine.
"When you get up in the morning, roll out of bed, roll out the mat, do your ab exercises before you get started," says Davila. "So it's just finding the time during the day where it becomes habitual."
The accumulation of fat in the belly is also linked to stress. Even though motivation to exercise may be at an all-time low during periods of high stress, nothing has been proven to reduce it faster and keep pounds at bay.
Belly fat is also the first kind of fat you tend to lose when you lose weight. Whether you're an "apple" shape with excess belly fat, or a "pear" with wide hips and thighs, when you lose you'll most likely lose more from the abdominal region than elsewhere.
In addition to being happier with a smaller waistline, shedding belly fat may also decrease your risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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