Dr Zoe Williams discusses visceral fat on This Morning

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Visceral fat is made up of toxic cells that are lodged within the abdominal cavity, where they can’t be seen or prodded. Its infamous reputation owes in part to the chemicals it secretes, which hike the risk of cardiac events. Combining a good diet with regular exercise is the most logical approach to a weight loss of any kind. But adding one food to your diet could increase visceral fat reduction by a staggering 81 percent, according to one body of research.

The findings of a study published in the International Journal of Obesity in 2005, found that yoghurt could boost weight loss in the body’s midsection by 81 percent.

The study, conducted on obese subjects added to evidence that a diet emphasising low-fat yoghurt could lower levels of harmful body fat.

For their experiment, researchers compared the effectiveness of yoghurt consumption on weight loss in 34 obese adults placed on a reduced-calorie diet.

The study authors noted: “Bodyweight, body fat, and fat distribution, blood pressure and circulating lipids were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention.

READ MORE: Visceral fat: The sweet drink that could ‘significantly’ reduce the belly fat in ‘weeks’

“Fat loss was markedly increased on the yoghurt diet while lean loss was reduced by 31 percent on the yoghurt diet.

“Trunk fat loss was augmented by 81 percent on the yoghurt versus the control diet, and this was reflected in a greater reduction in waist circumference.

“Further, the fraction of fat lost from the trunk was higher on the yoghurt diet versus control.”

The effects were attributed in part to high levels of calcium in yoghurt, which are linked to lower levels of abdominal fat.

By eating low-fat yoghurt before a meal, the calcium content could prevent fat from entering the cells, according to prior research.

What’s more, low-fat Greek yoghurt contains twice as much satiating protein as traditional yoghurt, which prolongs the feeling of fullness after a meal.

Its high-protein profile has been shown to drastically improve metabolism, which enables greater calorie burn throughout the day.

Michael Zemel, professor of nutrition at the University of Tennessee, said in a news release: “Not only did yoghurt help the study participants lose more weight – the average weight loss was 14 pounds – they were about twice as effective at maintaining lean muscle mass.

“This is a critical issue when dieting – if you want to lose fat, muscle.

“Muscle helps burn calories, but it is often compromised during weight loss.”

Researchers said the study reinforces the evidence that calcium and dairy protein play a role in determining body weight.

Alongside diet, there is evidence that engaging in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity most days, such as brisk walking or bicycling at a casual pace, could offer promising results.

“Even if you don’t lose weight, you lose visceral belly fat and gain muscle mass,” explains Harvard Health.

More protein shown to facilitate shedding of visceral fat includes meat, fish, eggs, dairy and whey protein.

Finally, getting enough sleep and stopping smoking is essential for those seeking to reduce their waist circumference.

Excess fat in the body’s midsection is linked to a heightened risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and some forms of cancer.

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