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4. Heart Disease
This one isn’t really much of a surprise, but did you know that belly fat in particular puts your heart in great danger than fat around your thighs or hips? One study found that people who had high levels of belly fat, when compared to those who had fat in other areas, had a much higher risk of developing heart disease, in fact as much as 50 percent. Abdominal fat prevents blood from getting to your vital organs, including your heart.
5. Dementia
Wow. Bet you didn’t see this one coming. Studies show that consuming trans-fats can decrease cognitive function, which is bad enough by itself. However, a fat buildup around the middle is even more dangerous. One study found that just being overweight increased a person’s risk of developing dementia, with Alzheimer’s being the most common form. Another study showed that women from Sweden who were in their 70’s at the start of the study were much more likely to develop dementia when they were in their 80’s, if they had a BMI just two points higher than those who did not develop dementia. Two BMI points is only a 12 pound difference.
6. Cancer
It’s true. Many types of cancer, including breast, pancreatic, colon, and uterine cancer all come with a higher risk the larger your middle is. In fact, studies show that cancer can begin to develop in only 7 years from the fat deposits in your belly. Allowing fat to buildup in your midsection makes your organs work harder. This severely disrupts your hormone balance, which will put you at an even greater risk for the cancers that are stimulated by certain hormones.
SEE ALSO: Top 6 Drinks That Shrink Belly Fat
7. Shortening Your Life
You might think that your jelly belly is just sitting there, sticking out, keeping you warm, but the truth is, it’s actually working hard…at robbing years from your life. Belly fat means that there is fat surrounding your vital organs. This layer of fat around your organs makes them all work harder and this puts you at a much greater risk for heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and more.
Packing on the pounds happens very easily and yes, it is much easier to put them on than to take them off, but it is well worth the effort. You will not only look better, but you are going to feel better than you ever remember. Make the lifestyle changes necessary to start losing that Santa belly a little bit at a time. Lay off the sugar; eat less carbs and more vegetables. Start walking just 20 minutes every day. That belly didn’t happen in a weekend and it will take more than few days to get rid of it, but you can do it! And you will be glad that you did.
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