Dr Zoe Williams discusses visceral fat on This Morning
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Visceral fat, also known as belly fat, lurks near vital organs in the body, such as the liver and intestines. It has been linked to a range of metabolic disturbances and is a contributing risk factor risk heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, you can decrease the amount of visceral fat stored by making healthy dietary tweaks.
Research has alighted upon some surprising dietary solutions.
One is coconut oil, which is made by pressing fresh coconut meat or dried coconut meat called copra.
A study published in the Journal of Lipids evaluated the impact of coconut oil on visceral fat by giving either two tablespoons of coconut oil or two tablespoons of soybean on a group of 40 women over the course of 28 days.
By the end of the study, results showed that the group that ate the coconut oil had a decrease in abdominal fat, while the soybean oil group actually showed a slight increase in belly fat.
What’s more, the group that ate the coconut oil showed increased HDL “good” cholesterol levels, while the soybean oil group had decreased HDL cholesterol and increased LDL “bad” cholesterol.
What is HDL and LDL cholesterol?
Cholesterol – a waxy substance found naturally in the body – comes in two forms: HDL or LDL.
LDL cholesterol is branded the “bad” cholesterol because it collects on the inside of your artery walls, thereby raising your risk of heart disease.
HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, counters this harmful mechanism by picking up LDL cholesterol and transporting it to the liver where it is flushed out.
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Other key dietary tips to reduce visceral fat
If you want to reduce your belly fat, you’ll need to burn more calories (energy) than you consume, and eat the right kinds of food.
Bupa says the following can help you to achieve this:
- Make sure you eat a balanced diet. Try to eat at least five portions of fruit and veg each day, and include higher-fibre starchy foods in meals
- Have some reduced-fat dairy or soya drinks fortified in calcium
- Eat more beans, pulses, fish and eggs
- Eat small amounts of unsaturated oil
- Drink six to eight glasses of water each day
- Avoid adding salt or sugar to your meals.
The health body also says to cut out sports drinks, sugar sweetened drinks and other foods that have a lot of added sugar in them.
“Be aware that low-fat options might have high amounts of added sugar in them.”
One of the most important food groups to eat is soluble fibre.
“This is because soluble fibre absorbs water and forms a gel that helps slow down food as it passes through your digestive system,” explains Holland and Barrett.
“It helps you feel fuller for longer, so you end up eating less and not snacking excessively.”
Examples of soluble fibre include flax seeds, avocados, blackberries, and Brussels sprouts.
In addition to eating well, exercise is integral to visceral fat loss.
Studies have shown that you can help trim visceral fat or prevent its growth with both aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) and strength training (exercising with weights).
According to Harvard Health, spot exercises, such as sit-ups, can tighten abdominal muscles but won’t get at visceral fat.
“Exercise can also help keep fat from coming back,” adds the health body.
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