Does Vitamin C Help You Lose Stomach Fat?

Stress, Vitamin C and Stomach Fat

Stress increases levels of a hormone known as cortisol in your body. This hormone, according to a 1994 research study published in "Obesity Research," encourages the storage of fat in the belly, leading to a higher waist-to-hip ratio that is associated with other stress-induced conditions such as hypertension. Vitamin C, says a 2001 research study published in the "International Journal of Sports Medicine," is associated with reduced levels of cortisol in the bloodstream during stress induced by intense physical activity.

Vitamin 's Effect on Stomach Fat

Consuming enough vitamin C can make a significant difference in your body's ability to shed stomach fat. According to the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" in a 2005 article, adequate consumption of vitamin C can cause your body to shed as much as 30 percent more fat during moderate exercise than if you are deficient in vitamin C. A communication published in "Nutrition & Metabolism" explains that vitamin C appears to play a key role in the oxidation of fat, particularly during exercise. This means that even if your body is regularly exercised, fat may remain stored in places such as your stomach if you don't have enough vitamin C in your body.

Vitamin C, Exercise and Stomach Fat Loss

A deficiency of vitamin C, explains a 2005 article published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," can lead to problems metabolizing fat. Regular moderate-intensity physical activity, explains Harvard Medical School, is essential for losing stomach fat. Unfortunately, exercise that is performed while experiencing even a mild deficiency of vitamin C can impair your ability to metabolize stomach fat. The body, in the wake of a deficiency, may become more resistant to losing fat from the stomach.

Considerations

An effective approach to losing stomach fat, explains Harvard Medical School, is to consume a diet that is rich in foods that are also naturally high in vitamin C. These include fresh fruits and vegetables which are also high in dietary fiber that encourages you to consume fewer calories. Consuming smaller meals more frequently, rather than having three larger meals throughout the day can also help you maintain a steady supply of fuel for your body. This, says a 2005 article published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," can decrease the incidence of a low glycemic response that can cause storage of fat around the stomach.