Dr Zoe Williams discusses visceral fat on This Morning
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Visceral fat gathers near vital organs in the body, such as the liver and intestines. Its location means it forms one part of metabolic syndrome – a cluster of conditions, including diabetes – that raise your risk of heart disease. Research has alighted upon some novel solutions for reducing belly fat with surprising results.
According to experts, two types of fruit should be cut out from one’s diet due to their high amount of added sugars.
While some fruit contains natural sugars, others contain added sugar, which is a major concern when you’re trying to lose belly fat.
Health experts advise that sweetened dried fruit and fruit packed in syrup should be off limits, while tropical fruits should be eaten in moderation.
When it comes to dry fruit, raisins and blueberries are the biggest added sugar culprits.
READ MORE: Visceral fat: How the ‘dangerous’ body fat can affect longevity – and how to get rid of it
Raisins are very high in sugar, with 48 grams and 240 calories per half-cup.
Cranberries are almost always sweetened because they are naturally quite sour.
One-half cup of dried, sweetened cranberries has 280 calories and almost 60 grams of sugar.
Fruits canned in syrup are by far the worst of the bunch, due to their added sugar content and, thus, higher calorie count.
One study found that one cup of pears canned in heavy syrup has 197 calories and a whopping 40 grams of sugar.
Fruit canned in juice is unfortunately not much better.
One cup of pears canned in juice contains 122 calories and 28 grams of sugar, about half of which is added sugar.
If you’re going to eat canned fruit, water-packed is your healthiest choice.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), too much added sugar in the diet can lead to weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
To avoid these consequences, the CDC recommends a maximum of 10 percent of total calories from added sugar.
If you’re eating 1,800 calories, that’s no more than 180 calories from sugar per day — or the equivalent of 45 grams.
Added sugars are the biggest culprit for belly fat
Studies show that added sugar has uniquely harmful effects on metabolic health.
Numerous studies have indicated that excess sugar, mostly due to the large amounts of fructose, can lead to fat building up around your abdomen and liver.
Sugar is half glucose and half fructose. When you eat a lot of added sugar, the liver gets overloaded with fructose and is forced to turn it into fat.
Added sugar products usually have a high calorie content, which promotes weight gain.
Added sugar is often found in sweet foods but is also found in sports drinks and sugar sweetened drinks.
Certain low-fat options might also have high amounts of added sugar in them, warns Bupa.
Dr Jiantao Ma added: “Added sugars also contribute to insulin resistance, a hormonal imbalance which increase a person’s risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.”
Source: Read Full Article