Healthy eating and exercise can shrink your waistline and blast away
belly fat. But certain nutrients also have the ability to help you burn
belly fat faster and more effectively. Incorporating the ten nutrients
described here on a regular basis through seasonings, food choices, and
supplements may help you shed fat, especially around your midsection,
more productively, helping you to reach your weight loss goals even
faster!
Calcium pyruvate is a substance that occurs naturally and is made in your body during digestion and metabolism. This nutrient’s main role is to make energy and fuel your cells.
A study done by the University of Pittsburgh
found that obese women lost 48 percent more fat when following a
calorie-restricted diet with supplemental calcium pyruvate than those
women following the diet alone. It appears that calcium pyruvate can get
into the fat cells and help them burn energy more effectively,
promoting more weight loss.
Calcium pyruvate occurs naturally in foods like red apples, red grapes, red wine, and cheeses. It can also be taken in supplemental form. If supplementing with calcium pyruvate, take 1,000 milligrams on an empty stomach before each meal up to three times per day. Taking too much of this supplement may cause nausea, however.
Caraway seeds are effective at reducing gas and bloating because they’re a powerful digestive aid. They help to expel and eliminate gas due to their carminative properties. Caraway seeds are also beneficial at keeping bloat away because they help the good bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract digest and break down food while inhibiting the growth of the bad bacteria.
Calcium pyruvate occurs naturally in foods like red apples, red grapes, red wine, and cheeses. It can also be taken in supplemental form. If supplementing with calcium pyruvate, take 1,000 milligrams on an empty stomach before each meal up to three times per day. Taking too much of this supplement may cause nausea, however.
To help get rid of gas, try snacking on caraway seeds.
Bloating and gas can occur in your gastrointestinal tract for a number of reasons. And increased gas can cause your belly to bloat.Caraway seeds are effective at reducing gas and bloating because they’re a powerful digestive aid. They help to expel and eliminate gas due to their carminative properties. Caraway seeds are also beneficial at keeping bloat away because they help the good bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract digest and break down food while inhibiting the growth of the bad bacteria.
Research has found that the active compound methylhydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP) in cinnamon makes fat cells more receptive to insulin.
When cells are more receptive to insulin, they
allow the insulin to transport sugar into the cells for energy, thus
keeping insulin levels in the bloodstream low. High insulin levels
trigger the body to store more fat, especially in your midsection. So
consuming a seasoning like cinnamon that helps maintain healthy levels
of insulin is a great way to combat belly fat.
The main polyphenol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), in green tea has been shown to have thermogenic properties and to help increase fat oxidation.
Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid found in brown seaweed.
Research on this compound suggests it may be a
powerful fat fighter. In animal studies, overweight and obese mice were
found to lose 5 to 10 percent of their entire body weight when consuming
fucoxanthin. Although research is still unclear as to exactly how
fucoxanthin promotes weight loss, it may be due to its ability to target
a specific protein that increases the rate at which abdominal fat is
burned.
Edible brown seaweed is available in Japanese specialty stores and health food stores under the names wakame and hijiki.
Edible brown seaweed is available in Japanese specialty stores and health food stores under the names wakame and hijiki.
Omega-3-rich foods been shown to help reduce abdominal fat storage.
Fatty fish, such as salmon, is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. However, plant-based sources, such as chia seeds, walnuts, and flaxseed, are terrific sources as well. Supplemental omega-3 fatty acids are also fine.
Quercetin, a powerful flavonoid, has been shown to not only improve the immune system and promote cardiovascular health but also fight belly fat.
Large amounts of quercetin are found in apples, onions (especially red onions), and green tea. Red grapes, tomatoes, broccoli, cherries, raspberries, and leafy greens are also excellent sources. Aim to take in quercetin from foods rather than supplements, because foods rich in quercetin contain many additional health benefits.
Studies have indicated that high levels of resveratrol in your diet may boost metabolism, helping you to burn more calories (and more belly fat) throughout the day.
Resveratrol is found in red grapes, red wine, peanuts, and dark chocolate.
Vitamin C helps reduce stress hormone levels and return the stress hormone cortisol to normal levels after a stressful situation. This reduction in cortisol may help to prevent increased belly-fat storage.
Aim to consume at least two foods rich in
vitamin C each day. Options include oranges, kiwis, and green peppers.
Vitamin C is available in supplement form, but taking in nutrients
through food is always the best option. If you do opt for a supplement,
keep your dosage to 500 milligrams per day and choose a time-released
formula for the best benefit.
Just drinking water may shrink your belly!
A study from the Journal of Clinical
Endocrinology and Metabolism showed that individuals increased their
metabolic rates by 30 percent after drinking approximately 17 ounces of
water. Other research indicates that increasing fluid volume in the body
may help to promote the breakdown of fat. And because dehydration can
suppress metabolism, you have even more reasons to drink up! Aim for at
least 64 ounces of water daily.