Monounsaturated Fats and Belly Fat

A paunch or bulging tummy can be quite embarrassing. It makes one feel really conscious in social gatherings and also limits one's dress wear to baggy and loose-fitting clothes. Putting on weight in general is an unhealthy condition. However, added bags of fat around the waistline is even more detrimental. Belly fat is visceral fat tucked deep inside the waistline and conduces to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some types of cancers, which is why it is not desirable. However, how to lose stubborn belly fat? Have you heard that monounsaturated fats and belly fat have a positive connection? Apparently, monounsaturated fat is a belly flattening fat! Did you ever think there could exist a type of fat that could reduce fat itself! The saying 'diamond cuts diamond' can be extended to 'fat reduces fat'!

Monounsaturated Fats

Although the word 'fats' carries a negative notion, not all fats are bad. Some fats such as monounsaturated fats are good for the body. Found in olive oil, canola oil, lean beef, nuts, avocados, etc., these fats are fatty acids featuring one double bond in their fatty acid chain. These fats have several positive effects on the human body. The benefits of monounsaturated fats include its ability to decrease the risk of contracting diseases. It also elevates the Level of Good Cholesterol (HDL) in the body, at the same time reducing the Level of Bad Cholesterol (LDL) in the body. This significantly reduces the risk of heart diseases. People in the Mediterranean regions indulge in a high olive oil diet, which is high in monounsaturated fats. This is why people from that part of the world have low heart disease rate.

Stubborn Belly Fat

There are two kinds of fat that are linked to the nasty tires around our belly. One is the visceral fat that is stored deep inside the body surrounding the internal organs and the other is the subcutaneous fat that is stored just under the skin. When we look at our tires, what we see is the subcutaneous fat. However, what is visible is not as dangerous than what is not visible. It's the inner visceral fat which we cannot see, which is the true trouble maker. Visceral fat buildup in the body occurs due to several factors such as genetics, eating highly fatty and sugary foods (saturated fats), drinking a lot of beer, menopause, stress or slow metabolism rate. It needs to be a quick deal for both health as well as cosmetic reasons.

Monounsaturated Fats and Belly Fat

A study published in the 2007 issue of Diabetes care said that 'dieters lost belly fat when placed on this high, monounsaturated-fat diet without any additional exercise and without cutting any additional calories.' A monounsaturated diet plan has helped several people lose belly fat. A diet comprising high monounsaturated fats from items like oil (1 tbs), nuts (2 tbs), avocados (½ cup), olives (10) and quarter cup of dark chocolate will help one shed those flabs around the belly. Several experiments have been carried out on people consuming only a monounsaturated fat diet thrice a day and they successfully showed signs of reduction of visceral belly fat.

While purchasing food items from the supermarket, check the label. Choose items with unsaturated fats rather than the deleterious saturated type. Moreover, avoid processed food items such as baked or fried goods as they are all loaded with trans fats. Just because monounsaturated fats and belly fat are inversely proportional does not mean you look at monounsaturated fats as magic ingredients. Exercise and healthy diet cannot be compromised at any cost.