Added sugar is all around us – from household staples like bread to the more obvious offenders like confectionery and fast food. But there are more than a few reasons to prioritise a whole food diet. We’ll be diving into how ultra-processed, sugar-laden foods are ramping up our visceral fat content, and what this means for our health. 

What is visceral fat?

Visceral fat is the type of fat that accumulates deep in the abdomen and surrounds vital organs such as the liver, pancreas, and intestines. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which lies just beneath the skin, visceral fat is far more dangerous to our health. It’s been linked to numerous health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and liver disease. Let’s dive into the ways a sugar habit promotes this stuff.

1. Fructose

Fructose is a component that makes up one half of sugar – you’ll find it naturally in fruit, along with in processed foods like juice, ice cream, sweeteners and even household staples like bread and cereal. The problem comes when we strip away nutrients like fibre and antioxidants – these come naturally with many fruits – and instead provide a nutritionally-deficient hit of fructose, resulting in blood-sugar spikes, mood swings, energy slumps and eventually visceral fat and chronic disease. Because fructose is primarily metabolised in the liver, when we overdo it on the sugar, we can end up straining our liver, resulting in the build-up of visceral fat. When we consume excess sugar, our liver stores it as glycogen. However, the liver has a limited capacity to store glycogen, and once it's full, the excess sugar is converted into fatty acids and stored as triglycerides, which can contribute to visceral fat accumulation.

2. Appetite stimulation

Sugar can send your appetite hormones haywire, leading to confused signals and increased hunger – even if you’ve just eaten. We end up craving sugary foods again, leading to the consumption of more visceral-fat producing snacks. Why? Well, consuming sugary foods or drinks can lead to a rapid increase in blood-sugar levels, followed by a sudden drop, which can trigger hunger and cravings for more sugar. This cycle of high-sugar consumption and increased appetite can lead to overeating and weight gain, including visceral fat.

3. Insulin resistance

High sugar intake can also lead to insulin resistance, a condition where our cells become less responsive to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. As a result, our body produces more insulin to compensate, and high levels of insulin can then promote the accumulation of visceral fat.

Need a hand reigning in your sugar addiction? We’re here to help. We know it can be hard to stick to your health goals – especially when you’re trying to manage it alone. When you sign up with us, you’ll have access to clear-cut meal plans, community support and exclusive access to our sugar-free content. Here’s what’s on offer:

1. 8 weeks of meal plans and shopping lists.
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3. Community forums to share your journey.
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5. Exclusive content from our panel of experts.

So, if you’re ready to ditch sugar and the host of maladies that come with it, it’s not too late to join. We’d love to help you get started on your health journey. Sign up HERE today!