Weight loss hack: Simple snack swap shown to turbocharge belly fat breakdown and cholesterol removal ()
<iframe frameborder="0" height="100%" scrolling="no" src="https://www.gbnews.com/res/scraper/embed/?video_url=https%3A%2F%2Fmm-v2.simplestream.com%2Fiframe%2Fplayer.php%3Fkey%3D3Li3Nt2Qs8Ct3Xq9Fi5Uy0Mb2Bj0Qs%26player%3DGB003%26uvid%3D52825807%26type%3Dvod%26viously_id%3DRaKDBr07-N8" width="100%"></iframe><br/><p>Swapping high-carbohydrate snacks for tree nuts could help young adults reduce their risk of metabolic syndrome, a new study suggests.</p><p>Research published in Clinical Nutrition found that nuts improved gene expression related to fat breakdown, cholesterol removal and inflammation reduction.</p><h3></h3><br/><p>These findings may explain why nuts are effective at reducing abdominal fat, a key risk factor for metabolic syndrome.</p><p>Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions including larger waist circumference, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high blood sugars and low HDL cholesterol.</p><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-latest"></div><h3></h3><br/><img alt="NUTS IN HAND" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="0a075d648a3daad805555c3b67bc8ad6" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="235eb" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/nuts-in-hand.jpg?id=51883807&width=980"/><p>Having three or more of these conditions defines the syndrome, which increases risk for heart disease, diabetes and stroke.</p><p>Rates have steadily climbed among younger people, with evidence suggesting one in five young adults in the US now has metabolic syndrome.</p><p>Researchers recruited 84 adults aged 22 to 36 with one or more metabolic syndrome risk factors.</p><p>After a two-week run-in period where all participants followed dietary guidelines and avoided nuts, they were randomly divided into two groups.</p><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-dontmiss"></div><h3></h3><br/><p>One group received daily tree nut snacks totalling about half a cup, whilst the other consumed high-carb snacks like pretzels and crackers.</p><p>The researchers analysed blood samples and abdominal fat tissue to understand the mechanisms behind their findings.</p><p>Results showed the nut group increased their total fat intake with significant improvements in their saturated-fat-to-unsaturated-fat ratio.</p><p>More importantly, the nut group -but not the high-carb group - showed increased expression of genes connected to breaking down fat cells, helping HDL cholesterol remove "bad" cholesterol, and reducing inflammation.</p><p>The study had several limitations, including its small sample size and relatively short duration of 16 weeks.</p><p>Researchers noted this timeframe may not have been long enough to see significant changes in abdominal fat composition.</p><h3></h3><br/><div class="embed-mostread"></div><p><strong>LATEST DEVELOPMENTS </strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/health/how-to-live-longer-coffee-drinking-frailty-risk" target="_self">How to live longer: Scientists recommend daily drink to fight frailty and boost 'healthy ageing'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/health/diabetes-insulin-resistance-coffee-benefits-blood-sugar" target="_self">Blood sugar hacks: Popular brew linked to 36% drop in insulin resistance</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gbnews.com/health/stroke-symptoms-classic" target="_self">'I suffered a stroke at 24 and didn't experience the classic symptoms'</a></li></ul><h3></h3><br/><img alt="BELLY FAT" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b167ad46db707c157449c69cbb537a36" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="9afa1" loading="lazy" src="https://www.gbnews.com/media-library/belly-fat.jpg?id=51691585&width=980"/><p>For practical application, experts recommend choosing unsalted raw or dry-roasted nuts most of the time. Mixing unsalted with lightly salted nuts can help taste buds adjust to less sodium.</p><p>The research helps explain why nuts can reduce abdominal fat, potentially offering a simple dietary change to combat metabolic syndrome.</p><p>However, experts emphasise that no single food is a magic solution for weight loss or disease risk reduction.</p><p>A comprehensive approach including plant-based eating, regular physical activity, quality sleep and stress management remains essential for reducing metabolic syndrome risk.</p>
