Revealed: This tiny enzyme holds the key to belly fat loss

Tired of trying to lose belly fat? Nutritionists have revealed what could finally hold the answer.

Beef, turmeric, mustard and cacao are just a few of the often-overlooked holy grail ingredients for burning stubborn belly fat, experts have revealed.

Forget juice cleanses and restrictive detoxes — dietary experts say the top ingredients for burning the fat around your midrift can be easily found in your pantry.

The Glute Station owner Connie Grossmith said people can give up easily when trying to lose belly fat. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Personal trainer Connie Grossmith said often slow results from trying to lose belly fat can cause many to give up.

“(There is) a lack of awareness on how easily healthy eating can be incorporated into everyday eating,” she said.

Nutritionist Madeline Calfas said the top ingredients to look for were foods that activate the metabolism boosting hormone Leptin and foods that kickstart the little-known enzyme – AMPK.

AMPK, or Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase, is a molecule which determines body fat composition and how you process energy.

“Generally speaking when it comes to foods that help with belly fat you look at things that boost the hormone Leptin, which tells your body it’s full and works on your metabolism,” she said.

Chilli powder and turmeric are the surprising spices that help burn belly fat.

“Foods rich in Omega 3 and zinc help increase Leptin sensitivity. Next thing to look at are food with the AMPK enzyme which helps boost metabolism and energy intake.”

Ms Calfas gave the example of beef, cacao, seafood and salmon as foods that promote the body’s sensitivity to Leptin while non-starchy fruit and vegetables like celery and cucumber can be helpful in activating AMPK.

Nutritionist Madeline Caflas says eating omega 3 and zinc rich foods was the key to cutting down belly fat. Picture: Richard Dobson

“The AMPK enzyme is your master energy regulating switch. The foods that help boost this are ones that have polyphenols in them so think of all your brightly coloured fruit and vegetable. Polyphenol is what gives them their bright colour.”

Artichokes, red onions, spinach, plums, cherries, and black currants are all high in polyphenols getting the nutritionist’s tick of approach.

Brightly coloured fruit like plums and cherries are also great for weight loss. Picture: Jenifer Jagielski

Ms Calfas said herbs were also a surprising way to lose belly fat with turmeric and chilli powder boosting the body’s thermogenesis process which increases calorie burning.

“In drinks, green tea and coffee are great for thermogenesis also. Mustard, coconut yoghurt and mushrooms are also thermogenesis boosting foods.”

She added that people often felt carbohydrates were bad for belly fat but non starchy carbs like broccoli were great for increasing calorie burning by up to five and 15 per cent.

Cacao can help promote the body’s sensitivity to Leptin. Picture: Supplied

“Non starchy carbs like broccoli, cucumber and celery are great for thermogenesis. Celery is also a great source of dietary fibre and has excellent water content which can help keep weight down,” she said.

“Dietary fibre is a big one. It’s why we say juices aren’t so great for weight loss because you leave all the fibre behind and that’s what fills you up and activated the AMPK enzyme.”

Personal trainer Connie Grossmith said the slow results people see when trying to lose belly fat can cause many to give up.

“(There is) a lack of awareness on how easily healthy eating can be incorporated into everyday eating,” she said.

“There are too many fad diets causing people to yo-yo diet… (and) slow results can cause people to give up.”

The Glute Station gym owner Connie Grossmith said the slow results people see when trying to lose belly fat can cause many to give up.

“(There is) a lack of awareness on how easily healthy eating can be incorporated into everyday eating,” she said.

“There are too many fad diets causing people to yo-yo diet… (and) slow results can cause people to give up.”