Introduction
If you’re looking to reduce your belly fat, you may want to take a closer look at what you’re drinking. According to science, there is one drink that is the worst for increasing belly fat. This drink is not only bad for your waistline, but it can also have other negative health effects. In this article, we’ll discuss the #1 worst drink that increases belly fat, according to science, and provide some healthier alternatives. We’ll also discuss why this drink is so bad for your health and how you can avoid it. So, if you’re looking to reduce your belly fat and improve your overall health, read on to learn more about the #1 worst drink that increases belly fat.
The #1 Worst Drink That Increases Belly Fat, Says Science — Eat This Not That
If you’re looking to reduce your belly fat, you may want to avoid certain drinks. According to science, there is one drink in particular that is the worst for increasing belly fat. That drink is sugary soda.
Sugary soda is loaded with empty calories and sugar, which can lead to weight gain and an increase in belly fat. Studies have shown that people who drink sugary soda regularly are more likely to have higher levels of belly fat than those who don’t. This is because the sugar in soda is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, causing a spike in blood sugar levels. This can lead to increased fat storage in the abdominal area.
So if you’re looking to reduce your belly fat, it’s best to avoid sugary soda and opt for healthier alternatives. Water, unsweetened tea, and sparkling water are all great options. You can also add a splash of fresh fruit juice to your water for a bit of flavor. By making healthier choices, you can help reduce your risk of developing belly fat.
Did you know not all fats are equal? Subcutaneous fat is the type of fat that lies right under your skin and can form in different parts of your body like your thighs, your hips, and your arms. Visceral fat, on the other hand, is the type of fat that accumulates around your organs beneath the abdominal cavity—and it’s known to be more dangerous.
An increase in visceral fat can result in many more health problems compared to growing subcutaneous fat. Heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol are just a few examples of health issues associated with visceral fat.
This type of fat can be hard to measure and to see, so what should you look out for if you want to avoid building up visceral fat? Sugar-sweetened beverages, like soft drinks, are one of the worst culprits.
Sugar consumption in the United States has increased over 40-fold since 1750, and 24% of added sugar consumption comes from sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, fruit juices, and sports drinks.
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Particular ingredients in sugar-sweetened beverages matter for visceral fat accumulation.
While sugar consumption has increased, researchers have been able to determine specifics as to why sugar-sweetened beverages in particular are considered the worst drink to have for visceral fat.
First, the types of ingredients in a sugar-sweetened beverage matter. A 2009 study from The Journal of Clinical Investigation compared adults consuming either glucose-sweetened drinks or fructose-sweetened beverages for 10 weeks. Researchers found that consumption of fructose lies behind the accumulation of visceral fat in overweight adults, not glucose. Additionally, fructose also decreases sensitivity to insulin and increases the chances of dyslipidemia, an overflow of fats in your bloodstream.
Second, another 2013 study from the BMJ reveals that the link between sugar-sweetened beverages and visceral fat isn’t just limited to overweight or obese subjects. After 10 weeks of consuming fructose drinks, adult subjects showed more visceral fat. Meanwhile, drinks with the same amount of glucose didn’t show an increase in visceral fat in the subjects.
More recent research from the British Journal of Nutrition has indicated that children are not immune to the effect of sugar-sweetened beverages. When children drank over two servings of sugar-sweetened beverages per day, they were more likely to develop visceral fat.
In conclusion, the high consumption of fructose (such as beverages with high fructose corn syrup) within sugar-sweetened beverages seems to be the issue when it comes to visceral fat accumulation in the body.
While more research is still to be done, it’s still important to keep the number of sugar-sweetened beverages you consume at a minimum. If you’re in search of alternative drinks with no fructose, try unsweetened drinks like green tea, which research proves can decrease visceral fat.
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