Here’s the answer, courtesy of researchers at the University of Oxford. Belly fat – also known as abdominal fat or visceral fat – is dangerous because it often surrounds vital organs and releases inflammatory chemicals into your system on a consistent basis. And those chemicals have been linked to heart disease, insulin resistance, and diabetes. But extra padding around the hips and thighs produces beneficial hormones that trap fatty acids, which boosts heart health and keeps blood sugar spikes in check. So what should you do if you have more abdominal fat than lower body fat? Eat fiber-filled foods to lower insulin and cholesterol levels. You should also do aerobic exercise – at least 30 minutes a day – to lose the fat. And get your blood sugar and blood fats tested to check for abnormalities.

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