Can Certain Foods Reduce Belly Fat?

You may know by now that abdominal obesity, or belly fat, is a clear and present danger, in terms of both causes and effects. That’s because fat collected around the midsection has been shown to significantly increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, even in people with a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI). To learn more, see Abdominal Obesity (Belly Fat)―Defined.

In terms of how best to combat this problem, you may have seen numerous ads and social media posts claiming miraculous solutions. Others, like this infographic, oversimplify the matter, as no single food “burns” belly fat alone.

How for some good news, supported by science. It turns out that plant-based sources of protein, such as beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds, can effectively help reduce abdominal obesity by stabilizing blood sugar, feeding gut microbes, and providing essential nutrients. And of course, these foods are collectively rich in fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats like omega-3s, all of which combat inflammation―the driver of most serious diseases―and support overall health.