Visceral fat is a serious danger to long life because, unlike visible fat, it is located close to critical organs in the body.

Visceral fat accumulation has been linked to the development of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Luckily, by adopting good food choices, you can reduce visceral fat.

According to research published in the journal Springer Link, even modest changes to your diet may help you lose belly fat.

• Brief Anger Hampers Blood Vessel Function Leading to Increased Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke – New Study
• New Blood Test Pinpoints Future Stroke Risk – Study Identifies Inflammatory Molecules as Key Biomarker
• Enceladus: A Potential Haven for Extraterrestrial Life in its Hidden Ocean Depths
• New Experiment: Dark Matter Is Not As ‘DARK’ As All We Think
• Scientists in Fear of This New Predator From Red Sea Eating Native Species in Mediterranean

The research discovered that licorice flavonoid oil has a “notable” impact on visceral fat loss.

Liquorice is derived from the liquorice plant’s root (or glycyrrhiza glabra). It is one of the oldest natural medicines known to mankind.

Liquorice oil has previously been proven to decrease visceral fat in obese Japanese individuals.

The researchers wanted to see if this effect could be replicated in individuals who were abdominally obese in Western nations.

• This diet could cut visceral fat three times better than physical activity, Study Says
• Unexpected weight gain factor in people younger than 40 named
• This is why the temperature of galaxies inevitably rises
• Visceral fat: Surprising vegetables to reduce the stubborn belly
• Six Natural Remedies for Menopause Actually Work – experts

To this aim, the researchers conducted a 12-week study in obese adult male and female participants in the United States using a 300 mg liquorice oil concentrate solution given once daily with evening meals.

At Week 12, the results indicated that visceral fat, as assessed by an abdominal CT scan, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, reduced substantially in participants in the liquorice oil group compared to the placebo group.

• Brief Anger Hampers Blood Vessel Function Leading to Increased Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke – New Study
• New Blood Test Pinpoints Future Stroke Risk – Study Identifies Inflammatory Molecules as Key Biomarker
• Enceladus: A Potential Haven for Extraterrestrial Life in its Hidden Ocean Depths
• New Experiment: Dark Matter Is Not As ‘DARK’ As All We Think
• Scientists in Fear of This New Predator From Red Sea Eating Native Species in Mediterranean

Additionally, liquorice oil’s “side-effect profile” was indistinguishable from that of a placebo, indicating that the treatment is safe to use.

Image Credit: Getty