Stress increases cortisol production, leading to belly fat storage and increased hunger. To reduce the negative connection between belly fat and cortisol, reduce stress through exercise, meditation, and dietary changes. Avoid sugary and greasy foods to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Cortisol is a hormone that is released by the brain when one is in a stressful situation, helping to promote the fight or flight response. Unfortunately, cortisol also encourages cells in the body to store more fat, particularly in the midsection area, and often increases hunger as well. As such, the connection between belly fat and cortisol is that stress increases cortisol production, which therefore increases belly fat; Extra fat storage in the midsection has also been linked to increased risk of heart disease and cancer.
The connection between belly fat and cortisol is well established. Unfortunately, it can be hard to break, because many people experience prolonged stress from an unpleasant work environment or home life. This causes cortisol to constantly flood the brain, which can make it difficult to sleep at night and can also lead to mood swings, anxiety or depression, and a higher chance of additional weight gain. Many people find that the connection between belly fat and cortisol makes it virtually impossible to lose the extra weight from the midsection, no matter how much aerobic exercise or specific abdominal exercises you do.
To cut the negative connection between belly fat and cortisol, it will be necessary to reduce the stress in life and make dietary changes. This could mean making changes at work or at home, if possible, or practicing stress reduction techniques, such as yoga, meditation, or even simple aerobic exercises, such as going for a walk during the day. Reducing stress is the first step in reducing belly fat and cortisol; So sustained aerobic activity is one of the best ways to lose weight throughout the body, as well as reduce fat in the midsection. Abdominal exercises will strengthen your abdominal muscles, but they generally won’t do anything to reduce fat.
Making dietary changes can also help. Eat a nutritious diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and protein; starving the body of a harsh diet will often have the opposite effect than desired, often causing the body to try to store even more fat in the cells. However, avoiding sugary and greasy foods that are high in saturated fat will be helpful in getting rid of belly fat. It’s important to do so not just for a person’s appearance, but to avoid increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer that often comes with increased belly fat and cortisol in the body.
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