{"id":122444,"date":"2016-05-24T10:46:23","date_gmt":"2016-05-24T08:46:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/122444\/things-that-make-you-gain-belly-fat\/"},"modified":"2016-05-24T10:46:23","modified_gmt":"2016-05-24T08:46:23","slug":"things-that-make-you-gain-belly-fat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/lifestyle-news\/entertainment-news\/2016\/05\/24\/things-that-make-you-gain-belly-fat\/","title":{"rendered":"Things that make you gain belly fat"},"content":{"rendered":"

Excess belly fat<\/a> is extremely unhealthy.<\/p>\n

Some studies suggest that low testosterone causes excess belly fat while others claim that excess belly fat contributes to lower levels of testosterone which is connected to erectile dysfunction<\/a>.<\/p>

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Sugary Foods and Beverages<\/h3>\n

Studies have shown a link between high sugar intake and excess belly fat. This may be largely due to the high fructose\u00a0content of added sugars.\u00a0Both regular sugar and high-fructose corn syrup\u00a0are high in fructose.\u00a0Frequently consuming foods and beverages high in sugar or high-fructose corn syrup may cause belly fat gain.<\/p>\n

\"sugar-foods\"<\/a><\/p>

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Alcohol<\/h3>\n

Alcohol can have both healthful and harmful effects.\u00a0When consumed in moderate amounts, especially red wine,\u00a0it may lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.\u00a0Some studies have shown that alcohol suppresses fat burning and that excess calories from alcohol are partly stored as belly fat.<\/p>\n

\"alcoholic-drinks\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Trans Fats<\/h3>\n

Trans Fats are the unhealthiest fats on the planet.\u00a0They\u2019re created by adding hydrogen to unsaturated fats in order to make them more stable and are\u00a0often used to extend the shelf life of packaged foods, such as muffins, baking mixes and crackers.<\/p>\n

Trans fats have been shown to cause inflammation and can\u00a0lead to insulin resistance,\u00a0heart disease and various other diseases.<\/p>\n

\"Trans-fat-crackdown-prompts-test-launch_strict_xxl\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Inactivity<\/h3>\n

A sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest risk factors for poor health. People have generally become less active than a couple of decades ago. This has played a role in the rising rates of obesity, including abdominal obesity.\u00a0One study also suggests that inactivity contributes to the regain of belly fat after losing weight.<\/p>\n

\"couch-potato\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Low-Protein diets<\/h3>\n

Getting adequate dietary protein\u00a0is one of the most important factors in preventing weight gain. High-Protein\u00a0diets increase your metabolic rate and lead to a spontaneous reduction in calorie intake.\u00a0Low protein intake may drive hunger and belly fat gain. It may also increase the hunger hormone neuropeptide Y.\u00a0Several large observational studies suggest that people who consume the highest amount of protein are the least likely to have excess belly fat.<\/p>\n

\"20150922171219-bagel-food-breakfast\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Menopause<\/h3>\n

Gaining belly fat during menopause is extremely common.\u00a0Hormonal changes at menopause result in a shift in fat storage from the hips and thighs to visceral fat in the abdomen.\u00a0Some women gain more belly fat at this time than others. This may partly be due to genetics, as well as the age at which menopause starts. Studies show that women who complete menopause at a younger age tend to gain less abdominal fat.<\/p>\n

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Fruit Juice<\/h3>\n

Even unsweetened 100% fruit juice contains a lot of sugar.\u00a0Although fruit juice provides some vitamins and minerals, the fructose it contains can drive insulin resistance and promote belly fat gain. It\u2019s another source of liquid calories that\u2019s easy to consume too much of, yet still fails to satisfy your appetite in the same way as solid food.<\/p>\n

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\"fruit-juices\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Stress and Cortisol<\/h3>\n

Cortisol is a hormone that\u2019s essential for survival.\u00a0It\u2019s produced by the adrenal glands as a \u201cstress hormone\u201d because it helps the body to mount a stress response.\u00a0Unfortunately, it can lead to weight gain when produced in excess, especially in the abdominal region.\u00a0This is particularly true in women with higher waist-to-hip ratios.<\/p>\n

\"cortisol-the-stress-hormone\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Genetics<\/h3>\n

Genes play a major role in obesity risk. It appears that the tendency to store fat in the abdomen is partly influenced by genetics.\u00a0This includes the gene for the receptor that regulates cortisol and the gene that codes for the leptin\u00a0receptor, which regulates calorie intake and weight.\u00a0In 2014, researchers identified three new genes associated with increased waist-to-hip ratio and abdominal obesity, including two that were found only in women. Much more research needs to be conducted in this area.<\/p>\n

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