Ways to Beat Belly Fat as We Age

Rebecca Lewis June 11, 2014

When it comes to fats, where they are stored can tell whether they could be affecting your health or not. Study after study shows that people who store more fats in their mid-section face higher risks of heart disease, certain types of cancer, diabetes and even premature death than those who store extra weight in other parts of the body. The thing is that gaining weight is easier as we age because of varying reasons. These include hormonal changes, inactivity, presence of health problems, and nutritional insufficiency.

Having a slimmer mid-section doesn’t only boost your self-confidence; it also reduces your risk of certain diseases, some of which are deadly.

Whilst cutting down on your calorie intake and exercising regularly are two sure-fire ways to lose “belly fats”, there are other ways to tone down quickly. Here they are:

Drink more water.

Drinking more water is very important as we age, especially if we want to lose weight. In a 12-week study by the National Institutes of Health involving middle-aged participants, those who drank 500 ml of water before each meal lost 44 per cent more weight while on a low-calorie diet than those on a low-calorie diet alone.

Get enough sleep.

Not only does getting enough sleep strengthens your immune system and nourishes your brain, it also helps you manage weight effectively and lose belly fats. In a study reported in the SCIENCE Natural News, significant weight gain was observed among study participants who reported the least amount of sleep.

Choose whole grains.

Try to avoid refined grains like white bread, white rice, pastry products, crackers, etc. Instead, opt for whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, barley, and the like. Whole grain consumption is widely linked to lower cholesterol levels, weight loss, and more stable blood sugar levels.

Learn to manage stress.

When you’re under stress, your body releases significantly high levels of cortisol as a defence mechanism. The problem is that this hormone is linked to impaired immune system, heart disease, high blood pressure and even memory loss. A study published by the National Institutes of Health found that when women were subjected to stressful situations, those who felt the least control over the situation released the most cortisol and gained weight in the abdominal region in response. Practising relaxation techniques, like yoga and meditation, can keep you from forming belly fats.

Take supplements.

Many vitamins and minerals have been found to have an impact on weight gain. As we age, it gets harder for our body to absorb these nutrients so taking supplements can be helpful. Vitamins and minerals that have been shown to aid in weight loss include vitamin D, chromium, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene.