Green Tea: your Ally in the Fight Against Visceral Fat
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Not all body fat is the same, and the one you have to be really careful about is visceral fat. “Visceral fat is stored deep in the abdomen, around your organs such as the liver, stomach, and intestines,” explains Lauren Manaker, a certified dietitian.
Unlike subcutaneous fat, which is just under the skin, visceral fat isn’t visible. But it presents higher health risks, including a greater chance of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
The good news? Visceral fat responds well to lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise. There’s no speedy fix to make it disappear overnight, though. However,certain foods and drinks can support visceral fat loss – and tea is one of them. When asked which tea is best for losing visceral fat, dietitians overwhelmingly recommend green tea.
The Benefits of Green Tea
Can Reduce the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. It’s defined as having three or more of the following:
- Abdominal/central obesity (excess fat around the stomach)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High blood glucose
- High triglycerides
- Low HDL (“good cholesterol”)
Fighting metabolic syndrome is key to good health, and ofen involves reducing visceral fat. Research suggests green tea can help manage it. Green tea contains catechins, including Epigalocatechin Gallate (EGCG), which can improve insulin sensitivity and lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and blood pressure. As metabolic syndrome improves, your body gets better at mobilizing and burning visceral fat.
While promising, not all studies show a strong link between green tea and improvements in metabolic syndrome, so more research is needed. Still, it’s a healthier choice than sugary or energy drinks.
Can Support weight Loss
Research on green tea and weight loss often looks at total body fat, not specifically visceral fat. However, some evidence suggests that green tea components – especially catechins and caffeine – can help reduce fat in the abdominal area, where visceral fat is concentrated, explains dietitian Ali McGowan.
“Green tea contains compounds called catechins, which can definitely help improve how the body uses energy,” she adds. These compounds can influence fat metabolism and boost your metabolism.