We constantly hear about how belly fat is an indicator that something else is going on in our bodies and with out health — but why, exactly?
Registered Dietitian Sidney Fry explains on My Fitness Pal: “As fat cells continue to accumulate in the belly area, your body responds by continuously producing insulin — a hormone that “unlocks” your body’s muscle, liver and fat cell doors to allow glucose inside to be stored. Over time, these muscle, fat and liver cells stop responding as efficiently to the insulin. The keys stop working, glucose builds up in the blood, and our body shifts into overdrive to pump out more insulin.”
What this basically creates is a hormonal imbalance that can lead to much bigger problems like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
One of the best ways you can control inflammation in your body and get a handle on belly fat is through weight loss and making healthy dietary choices.
“Many experimental studies have shown that components of food or beverages may have anti-inflammatory effects,” Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, told My Fitness Blog.
Some of the best foods you can eat to fight inflammation include seeds and nuts like almonds, fish, fermented foods and beverages like apple cider vinegar and kombucha, and vitamin-rich leafy green vegetables.
Which leads us to one of the healthiest anti-inflammatory drinks for blasting belly fat — one that contains several of these good-for-you ingredients.
Detox Green Smoothie
This amazing Detox Green Smoothie recipe is a belly-blasting hit because it includes several anti-inflammatory ingredients, like leafy green vegetables, fermented apple cider vinegar, and yogurt (use probiotic-rich Greek yogurt, which introduced healthy gut bacteria that fights inflammation). You can even add a handful of almonds into the mix to thicken your smoothie and benefit from additional anti-inflammatory goodness.
The ingredients you’ll need to make this delicious, healthy smoothie include:
Apple cider vinegar
Spinach
Grapes
Lime juice
Honey
Greek yogurt (vanilla flavored)
Avocado
Pear
Ice cubes
If you’re wondering which foods are the opposite of anti-inflammatory, you probably won’t be surprised at the answer. The worst foods you can eat for inflammation — foods that actually cause inflammation — include processed foods, refined carbs, and added sugars, processed meats like bacon and hot dogs, soda, and artificial sweeteners.
Add this anti-inflammatory beverage to your daily diet or blend these ingredients into a delish drink that you enjoy several times a week and you'll benefit from a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory ingredients that will help blast belly fat.