I’m pretty certain that many of us have struggled and are still struggling to get rid of that stubborn belly fat and literally try every method possible right from those looks-so-easy (but are not!) abdomen workout videos on YouTube to the ketogenic or military diets to even playing a sport but end up still carting around that belly fat. Well, trust me, been there, done that and definitely know how it feels!
So what is this “belly fat”?
There are two types of fat, when it comes to talking about belly fat. Subcutaneous fat is what you see and can touch from the outside, as it is stored right below your skin and Visceral fat (also known as intra-abdominal fat) is stored inside the abdominal cavity and wraps around the internal organs. The reason for this belly fat can be due to various reasons like lifestyle, genetics, poor diet or dietary changes, hormonal changes, too much of alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, irregular or poor sleep schedule, smoking or even stress.
Everyone’s body is made differently and having some amount of fat is required and is perfectly healthy and normal. But when this fat is in excess, there calls for need to worry. Here are some drinks you can make at home and consume, to help get rid of that belly fat:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple Cider Vinegar has been used as a health tonic over the years, as it has a lot of health benefits, which include the reduction of belly fat and the reduction of bloating. Apple Cider Vinegar helps lower blood sugar levels and insulin levels, improves one’s metabolism (the bodily process of converting the food we consume into energy), reduction of fat storage, fat burn and also can help suppress one’s appetite, in turn aiding weight loss. Add 1 tbsp of raw apple cider vinegar to water or orange juice, add in 1 tbsp of raw honey and have it in the morning.
2. Green Tea:
Well, this one’s most probably known to many, if not all. Green is rich in antioxidants and have polyphenols (a type of micronutrient) and catechins (natural antioxidants that prevent free radical damage) in abundance, which can relieve bloating and gas and also aid digestion. It helps the body to boost its metabolism and in turn stimulates weight loss and fat burn. Drink 2 cups of green tea everyday to burn belly fat. You can add in lemon juice to it for added benefits.
3. Kombucha:
Unlike the rest of these, this Kombucha drink maybe new to many of you. It is native to China and then began to spread around the world. Kombucha is a fermented and lightly effervescent (fizzy) drink. Kombucha is made of tea, sugar, yeast and a culture (called SCOBY, which stands for Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria). This “culture” is referring to the live bacteria or the healthy or good bacteria which is used in food production, to aid and assist the process of fermentation. READ MORE – Amla Juice to boost immunity, brighten skin, stop hair fall and more
Since Kombucha is usually made out of green tea, you can reap its benefits. Since Kombucha is a fermented drink, it is full of antioxidants and probiotics which can help aid digestion and boost digestive health.
4. Chia Water:
Adding chia seeds in your water can help promote weight loss and reduce belly fat because chia seeds are rich in protein and can help reduce one’s appetite and food intake. Chia seeds absorb large amounts of water (even up to 12 times their weight), as they are soluble fibres and once consumed they expand in the stomach and make the person full, in turn reducing the intake or consumption of food. The proteins in the chia seeds could help to reduce one’s appetite. The fibre in chia seeds help in the slow absorption of food, keeping you full for a longer time, in turn making a person consume lesser food and gain lesser calories. Add 1 tsp of chia seeds to a cup of water or coconut water along with 1 tbsp of lemon juice. Mix it well and set aside for 10 mins for the seeds to swell. Consume in the morning.
5. Ginger Tea:
Apart from the other benefits of ginger, it is known to work well with a healthy diet, for shedding those few extra pounds. Ginger contains the compounds gingerols and shogaols, which can be helpful in stimulating several biological activities of the body, once ginger is consumed and can have an anti-obesity effect, which aids food digestion and keeps blood sugar levels stabilized, in turn helping one to maintain a stable and healthy weight. Add an inch of ginger to a saucepan along with 2 cups of water. Simmer on low for 5 mins. Strain and sip on it warm or add ice cubes for a cold brew.
6. Detox Water:
Detox water (or detoxification water) is usually a mix of many items, to detoxify the body and flush out the toxins. Detox water can help in digestive functioning, to boost the immune system, aid weight loss and boost one’s energy levels. READ MORE – Ayurveda Miracle CCF Tea Recipe with Three Ingredients
Detox water is basically flavored water, where you add in different ingredients like lime or lemon slices, ginger, orange slices, mint leaves or cucumber slices into 2 liters of water and sip on it throughout the day to reap the benefits of all those ingredients combined, instead of each one separately. Sounds good right!
Well, if any of these seem palatable to you, go ahead and give it a try and maybe it’ll work wonders for you!