Also known as hidden fat, visceral fat is stored deep inside the belly, meaning you often can’t see it. While it is vital to have some, as it protects and insulates organs such as the liver and intestines, it can be dangerous if you have too much of it. Having an excessive amount of visceral fat can raise your risk of serious medical issues such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and high cholesterol.
As with subcutaneous fat, which is visible fat, diet and exercise play a part in how much visceral fat we have.
One expert spoke with Express.co.uk about the best ways to target visceral fat.
Nutritionist for JustCBD, Nataly Komova, said: “Visceral fat accumulates in the belly when we eat lots of foods, especially those high in fats, and do little or no exercise.
“Abdominal fat reduction is among the top weight loss goals for most people.
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“There are multiple ways individuals can cut belly fat, including consuming healthy foods.”
She recommended eating foods high in soluble fibre to burn belly fat.
“Meals that contain soluble fibre nutrients can effectively lower abdominal fat,” she said.
“Fibre works by delaying the absorption of nutrients, fats, and food digestion.
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She added: “Protein nutrients curb your food cravings and hunger senses, which lowers your intake of unhealthy foods that add to your fat levels.
“Foods high in proteins boost body metabolism-enhancing the burning down of fats for energy. Add low-fat milk, nuts, seeds, legumes, meat, whole eggs, and fish to your diets for fast abdominal fat reduction.”
It’s not possible to know how much visceral fat is hidden in the body without imaging tests.
But you can get a rough estimate by measuring your waist using the belly button as a marker – for women 35 inches or more can signal visceral fat and for men it’s 40 inches.