Can Eating Blueberries Reduce Belly Fat?

(THP) If you’re carrying a little too much weight around the middle, you may want to give blueberries a second look. Studies show it could be a natural remedy for belly fat.

Looking for a solution for a fat belly? Carrying around excess fat in the abdominal region isn’t a positive when it comes to overall health. Not only does it increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease, it also has social implications. This is why an entire industry has been built around marketing solutions for a fat belly. Aerobic exercise helps to some degree by reducing overall body fat, but it, by itself, may not be an effective remedy for belly fat. Dietary changes, particularly eating fewer simple carbohydrates, may help because it reduces blood sugar and insulin spikes which increase abdominal fat storage. Could there be another solution? According to a new study, eating blueberries for belly fat may be another strategy for slimming down the waistline.

Eating Blueberries: A Remedy for Belly Fat?

An animal study showed that rats that were given blueberry powder, equivalent to two ounces of blueberries per day for a human, not only lowered their cholesterol and triglycerides but also reduced overall abdominal fat. Even more surprising was the fact that this reduction in abdominal fat occurred while the animals were being fed a high-fat diet. Rats that were given the blueberry powder along with a low-fat diet fared even better with greater reductions in abdominal fat, cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as a reduction in liver size which can be indication of a fatty liver related to obesity. Both groups of rats given the blueberry powder had improvements in blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.

How It Might Work

Researchers believe it could be due to the phytonutrients, particularly the anthocyanins found in blueberries. Anthocyanins are the pigments that give blueberries their distinctive purple color. Previous studies have suggested that the anthocyanins found in some plants such as berries can alter fat cell function and reduce fat storage. Another study showed that the anthocyanins in black soybeans had similar belly fat reducing effects in rats. Other foods that are rich in anthocyanins are cranberries, blackberries, acai berries, and red currants. Although eating blueberries may be effective for abdominal obesity, these other anthocyanin rich foods may also prove to be a natural remedy for belly fat.

The Other Benefits of Eating Blueberries

Eating blueberries for a fat belly can also benefit health in other ways. The anthocyanins abundant in blueberries are being studied for their role in preserving brain health and preventing memory related problems due to aging. Anthocyanins are also strong antioxidants and may lower the risk of other chronic diseases as well.

The Bottom Line

Although eating blueberries is unlikely to be a complete solution for a fat belly without an overall healthy diet and a regular exercise plan, it could be another small dietary change that“tips the scales”. So, instead of reaching for that piece of chocolate cake, help yourself to a bowl of blueberries instead.

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