Why Is Belly Fat So Dangerous?

by: Stefan Simonovic

Not all fat is created equal, and no one knows this better than BBW singles. Being overweight and having a "spare tire” around your belly is not quite the same thing because that “spare tire” puts you at a higher risk of all sorts of diseases, from heart disease and diabetes to various types of cancers. Today, we focus on the belly fat, also called visceral fat, in an attempt to motivate you to toss those chips out the window and start to appreciate almonds, for instance, instead.

Belly Fat Produces Toxins

Although called Buddha belly as a joke, there is nothing funny about those extra pounds stashed in your mid-section. Belly fat actually produces toxins that negatively affect the way your body works, making you more prone to heart disease and less sensitive to insulin, which can lead to diabetes. These toxins include chemicals called cytokines, which have been linked to colon, pancreatic, and esophagus cancer in recent years.

Belly Fat Is Easy To Detect

You might not be seriously overweight, and have a little Buddha belly tucked away under an oversized sweater for nobody to see, giving you a false sense of security, but even if you don't have a weight problem per se, having belly fat is a kind of thing that needs to be taken seriously. However, if you just grab a tape measure and measure the size of your waist, you can tell whether you're at risk or can sit back and enjoy a few more years of juicy burgers. For women, a waist measure of 35 inches or more is a red flag, and for men, a waist measure of 40 inches or more is cause for concern. Also, if your old pants don't fit anymore, and you need to move a size up even though you haven't noticed any weight gain, that's a clear sign you need to watch what you eat and start exercising more.

Foods That Combat It

Drinks packed with sugar, such as store-bought fruit juice or soda should have no place in your kitchen. Make sure you eat your veggies, particularly leafy greens, such as broccoli, instead of the starchy kind, such as potatoes or corn. This is a no-brainer - give up processed foods altogether. When you’re in a rush and need a meal quickly, eating raw veggies and a bag of nuts and seeds can do the trick until you have time to prepare that fish that's waiting for you in the fridge.

Muscles Throw The Final Punch

Muscles are fat’s biggest enemies, and if your muscles are strong, your belly fat won't stand a chance. This doesn't mean you need to turn into the Hulk, but it does mean you should do strength training twice a week coupled with moderate exercise 5 times a week, such as walking or cycling for half an hour. If you’re stuck behind a desk for 8 or 9 hours a day, no amount of exercise will help you. You need to get up every 20 minutes to half an hour, take a stroll around the office, do mild office stretches, and move in your chair as much as possible to stay active. Ditch the elevator and take the stairs, and just be mindful of what you're doing with the aim to be as active as possible.


About the author:

Stefan is a writer and a blogger in his spare time. He also works for First Beat Media, a company that mainly focuses on the online dating niche and similar services.