Reasons Most People Gain Excessive Abdominal Fat

Reasons Most People Gain Excessive Abdominal Fat

You’re tired of feeling self-conscious about your belly fat, but you don’t know how to get rid of it. Maybe you’ve tried diets or exercise programs that didn’t work. Maybe you can’t seem to find the time to make a dent in your belly fat. Or maybe you just think it’s inevitable that you carry around some extra weight in your midsection.
The solution to a flat stomach isn’t as simple as doing a few crunches. You need to get your diet in order and make sure you’re getting the right kinds of exercise. If you’re still having trouble losing weight around your midsection, here are some other causes of excess abdominal fat:

  • A high-sugar diet. Simple sugars like high-fructose corn syrup — found in many processed foods — may contribute to belly fat. And one study published in the journal Obesity showed that eating too much fructose can lead to increased abdominal fat.
  • Alcohol consumption. Alcoholic beverages are loaded with sugar. Not only does this add calories to your diet, but it also increases your insulin levels, which can lead to fat build-up around your abdomen (known as a “beer belly” or “potbelly”).
  • A lack of sleep. Poor sleep quality and not getting enough hours of shut-eye can increase your risk of gaining belly fat. When you don’t get enough sleep, you produce less leptin — a hormone that tells your brain when your stomach is full. As a result, you’re more likely to eat more calories than you need and store them as fat around your abdomen (which is why it’s called a “beer belly” or “potbelly”).
  • Stress. When your cortisol levels are elevated, your body stores more fat in your midsection. Cortisol is a hormone that’s released when you’re stressed, which can make you crave sugary and fatty foods. If you don’t have time to relax, try these stress management tips.

 

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