According to Harvard health, researchers have found a direct correlation between a higher BMI and a higher risk for heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure. In fact, they discovered that the risk increases the more fat a person carries around his or her waist. Visceral fat makes up only about 10% of a person’s body fat, but a 2016 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that increases in visceral fat can worsen heart disease risk factors, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and total cholesterol levels. Eating fruit is a great way to start burning fat and keep sweet cravings under control. Research shows that fruit intake is positively correlated with weight loss. In addition, fruits are convenient as they can be eaten anywhere at any time – for breakfast, lunch, or supper or as an in-between snack. They contain natural sugars, but unlike energy bars and diet snacks, they don’t contain chemicals, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners. SEE: 7+ Types of Diets and Their Functions
List of Nigerian Fruits That Can Help You Burn Fat
Apples: are one of the most fibre-rich foods found in nature. They enhance metabolism and are an integral part of reducing belly fat. The pectin in apples restricts cells from absorbing fat.
They are a healthy snack that keeps you full between meals. The best way to eat them is raw and fresh. You could also add them to a salad.
Avocado
Avocado: The fats in avocados signal the body to stop spiking blood sugar. Spiking blood sugar causes the body to store fat. Loaded with healthy omega-9 fatty acids (the same fats found in olive oil and olives), avocados speed up the conversion of fat into energy and boost metabolism. Avocados are high in both fat and fiber, which affects feeling full.
Bananas: are great for burning stubborn belly fat as they contain “resistant starch” that helps burn fat and controls appetite. They are packed with fiber that also helps us remain satiated, thus helping the body burn fat. The fibers in bananas help block carbohydrates from getting absorbed in the body. This enables the body to burn fat as energy instead of carbs. Bananas are a rich source of potassium that helps in building muscles, which also leads to fat burning. Their high magnesium content can help with digestion problems and bloating.
Grapes: This low-sugar fruit has many health benefits, including weight loss. Research has shown that eating half a grapefruit before meals reduces belly fat and lower irregular cholesterol levels. In a 12-week study, people who were overweight consumed half a fresh grapefruit before a meal for 12 weeks. They lost about five kilograms. Another study with 91 obese patients was conducted to find out how grapefruit affected body weight, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. They found that those who ate half a fresh grapefruit before meals (meals had no restriction) lost 1.5 kilograms in 12 weeks.
Lemons: are excellent liver detoxifiers that also alkalize the body. Maintaining a healthy liver is necessary for the body’s ability to digest and burn fat. Lemons prevent the accumulation of fat in the body. A glass of warm water with lemon first thing in the morning helps reduce the fat content of the body. SEE: Ahamed Tea: Health Benefits and Side Effects
Pear: Just like other citrus fruits, pears too, are inherently rich in fiber and potassium. Their rich mineral content makes them heavy, and filling, and thus takes longer to completely burn out. Pears also help out patients suffering from regular bloating issues and irregular levels of cholesterol.
Strawberry: A natural fat-cutter, strawberries help our body release fat-burning enzymes at a faster rate. They also send signals into our body to release hormones – leptin and adiponectin whose role is to wash away fat from the body. Strawberries also kick-start our metabolism and prevent our body’s metabolic rate from slowing down.
Watermelon: is the fruit you need during the summer season to shed off all those extra pounds you’ve been trying to bust off. Even though watermelons inherently have slight sugar content, the water content in them acts as a natural intoxicant. The natural fruit sugar content in them also refreshes your palette and curbs your appetite, especially for those who have a sweet tooth. And not just this, the lipid and water content in watermelons, also restricts fat accumulation in various parts of the body. SEE: Foods To Eat to Lose Weight in Stomach
