Why that beer belly is dangerous
Bart Simpson has one, Santa Claus has one… as do most of the affable dads in our fave sitcoms… but that doesn’t mean that having a beer belly is a jolly, merry thing at all.
In fact, quite the contrary.
Excess abdominal fat that creeps past your beltline can be super harmful to your health. Let’s learn why.
All in the belly
Sure, the odd (or frequent) glass of beer after work is fun and refreshing, but at about 150 calories in an average beer, those calories can quickly creep up! Women tend to store excess weight in their arms, legs and tummy, while men primarily store more in the belly.
Throw in ageing and decreasing hormone levels and you’re left with a worrying health risk.
That “cute” little beer belly can lead to a whole host of problems, like hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterol, erectile dysfunction and Type 2 diabetes. Also concerning is when the belly goes “hard”.
Doctors advise that this is a sign of a very high risk for health issues.
When the belly hardens, it’s due to the excessive accumulation of internal organ fat. This is also known as visceral fat.
Visceral fat lurks inside and between your organs in your abdomen. As it grows bigger, it starts to push out the abdominal wall, giving you that distended pregnant-ish look. If you touch the belly, it feels hard and firm thanks to the abdominal wall that’s made up of muscle and tough fibrous tissues. These are NOT the “rock hard” abs you’re looking for…
Belly, begone!
First, the bad news. You will have to start cutting back on alcoholic drinks. If you are a heavy beer-drinker, limit yourself to every other day or weekends at first, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly the tummy starts to recede. Remember, beer has calories and sugar. So, the fewer beers, the less sugar you’re consuming.
Point to note: doing spot crunches, sit-ups and other abdomen-focused exercises will not work in reducing the beer belly. Weight loss is an all-over affair, and you’ll need to focus on overall cardio and weight training for maximum impact.
We have good news though! Once your diet and exercise start yielding results, visceral fat can quickly go away. Aim for more wholegrains, lean meat, fresh fruit and vegetables – and of course lots of water – in your new updated diet and watch the beer belly shrink. If you’re still craving the taste, why not try beers with fewer calories or low-calorie spritzers or mocktails?
Also remember that excessive beer drinking can lead to impaired function, irregular heartbeat, blackouts, drowsiness, and constant headaches and hangovers.
It’s worth looking out for your health now and cutting back when necessary. That beer belly is only cute on fictional characters!
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, and usage of any medication.