Trying to lose weight can be a complicated journey, especially if you're trying to give up all the foods you love. This common mistake leads many people to feel overwhelmed before they even start. But what if you focused instead on the foods you can add to your diet rather than those you think you need to eliminate? For example, fruit is a healthy, delicious, and natural food that can help you achieve your weight loss goals, especially if you want to lose belly fat. One of the best fruits to eat for a flat stomach is the apple, according to nutrition expert Courtney D'Angelo, author of "Go Wellness."
**Belly Fat Burning**
The expert explained that eating an apple a day can benefit more than just avoiding doctor visits, as they are packed with flavonoids and healthy fibers that can aid in burning belly fat. She stated that apples are healthy for several reasons, including their ability to help lower cholesterol, manage blood pressure, improve gut health, and prevent belly fat. Additionally, she noted that apples are particularly rich in pectin fiber, which leads to two things: it enhances satiety and can slow down the metabolic process because pectin fiber breaks down slowly.
**Antioxidant Properties**
Apples are also high in polyphenols, which come with beneficial antioxidants known to help manage and control weight. One review found that regular apple consumption was associated with weight loss in individuals already considered "overweight." Another set of Japanese studies concluded that apple polyphenols are particularly linked to reduced visceral fat, the "dangerous" type of fat located near abdominal organs. Lastly, apples can promote belly fat loss by replacing sugary snacks, as high continuous sugar intake is associated with greater amounts of belly fat. Consuming sugar from more natural sources like apples can help in weight management.
