Dr Zoe Williams discusses visceral fat on This Morning
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Unlike subcutaneous fat, visceral fat sits in the abdominal cavity encasing vital organs, where it cannot be prodded. It is infamous for releasing harmful chemicals into the bloodstream which can hike the risk of having a heart attack. Researchers often reiterate the importance of a good diet to rid the body of visceral fat. One spice may start to have an effect in weeks, according to a study.
One body of research suggests cardamon may help rid the body of fat that accumulates in the body’s abdominal region.
The Journal Nutrients outlines some of the spice’s most revered health properties.
The authors explain: “Cardamon is a well-known spice with green and black varieties […] used in culinary and traditional medicine practices.
“Dry pods of cardamon contain volatile oils, phenolic acids, lips and sterols.”
READ MORE: Visceral fat: the small fruit that supercharges metabolism and boosts fat burn by 27%
The study was conducted on rodents fed with a high-carbohydrate, high-fat diet for eight weeks who went on to develop visceral adiposity and impaired glucose tolerances.
The researchers set out to compare the cardiovascular, liver and metabolic responses of the rodents to green and black cardamom.
They noted: “We report that addition of black cardamon to the diet improved the signs of metabolic syndrome much more effectively than green cardamon.
“Further, green cardamom may worsen heart and liver structure.”
Elsewhere in the paper, the authors attribute the lowering effects of cardamon on visceral fat to the spice’s terpenes.
The researchers noted that the rats fed black cardamon “showed marked reversals of diet-induced changes, with decreased visceral adiposity, total body fat mass, systolic blood pressure and plasma triglycerides, and structure and function of the heart and liver“.
Conversely, rodents who received green cardamon saw “increased visceral adiposity and total body fat mass, and increased heart and liver damage, without consistent improvements in the signs of metabolic syndrome”.
“These results suggest that black cardamom is more effective in reversing the signs of metabolic syndrome than green cardamom.”
Healing Food explains that cardamom is an effective digestive stimulant and diuretic, which boosts metabolism and helps the body burn fat more effectively.
The spice’s diuretic properties also make it efficient in helping the body shed water retention.
It’s been observed that effectively managing conditions such as indigestion, contraption and water retention could help weight loss.
Some health bodies claim the health benefits of cardamon can be reaped by soaking the pods in water overnight and subsequently drinking the water two to three times a day.
As with all types of weight loss, regular exercise offers some of the best chances of ridding the body of visceral fat.
Harvard Health recommends undergoing at least 30 minutes of exercise per day to lose belly fat.
Replacing saturated and trans fats with polyunsaturated fat is also helpful.
Diets that emphasise complex carbohydrates, in the form of fruits and vegetables, and whole grains, are beneficial for any kind of weight loss.
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