Visceral fat lurks within the abdominal cavity, which houses vital organs such as the liver and intestines. The disastrous consequences of accumulating fat in this region includes hampering insulin production that leads to type 2 diabetes and contributing to heart disease risk. Finding ways to eliminate visceral fat therefore has knock-on effects throughout your body.
At the end of the study, the exercise group had “significant reductions” in both subcutaneous and visceral fat, the study researchers wrote.
Subcutaneous fat is the type of fat that lies just beneath the surface.
The exercise group also experienced significant changes in blood glucose (blood sugar) – this plays a key protective role against the development of type 2 diabetes.
“In summary, the current findings suggest that walking exercise can provide a safe and effective lifestyle strategy against abdominal obesity and serum insulin resistance markers in obese women,” the study researchers concluded.
Protein can also facilitate visceral fat reduction.
Bupa explains: “Protein can be a helpful way to lose weight because it makes you feel fuller than carbs and fat do.
“So if you include a lean source of protein, such as skinless white chicken, in your meals you may find that you’re not as hungry, and so eat less.”
Good sources include chicken breast, tuna, mackerel, salmon, eggs, milk, red lentils, chickpeas, brown bread, nuts and soya.