If you're trying to lose weight, odds are you probably want to eliminate your belly fat. After all, visceral fat, or the belly fat stored in your abdominal cavity, is the most dangerous. It's been linked to an increased risk of heart disease [1], stroke [2], type 2 diabetes [3], and other chronic conditions [4].
But getting rid of belly fat specifically may be easier said than done. You can't spot-target fat loss; your genetic makeup determines where you gain and lose fat. However, you can lose weight overall, including from your belly, with a mix of dietary changes, exercise, and other lifestyle factors.
When it comes to your diet, it's not just what you eat but also what you drink that's important. If you're downing sugary beverages on the regular, you may be ingesting hundreds of empty calories each day, which can lead to an excess of belly fat. On the flip side, there are some beverages you can drink that can help you lose weight and burn belly fat. We tapped dietitian Jillian Kubala, MS, RD, who told POPSUGAR her top five picks for what to drink to shrink your belly.
Water
"Yes, plain old water is one of the best drinks for weight loss," Jillian said. "Research shows that drinking more water, especially before meals, can reduce overall calorie consumption [5], which can help you lose excess belly fat."
If you're bored with plain old H2O, jazz it up with some fresh fruit and mint for a tasty detox water [6].
Coffee
Jillian recommends drinking coffee for weight loss. Caffeine has been linked to successful weight-loss maintenance [7], and it makes for a pretty effective pre-workout beverage [8]. Plus, coffee may actually be good for your heart [9] after all.
Matcha
"Matcha contains high levels of catechins, antioxidants that may be effective in boosting metabolism [10] and promoting fat loss," Jillian said. "Plus, the caffeine contained in matcha can give you an energy boost when exercising, which can make workouts more effective."
If you're drinking matcha, just be wary of some matcha tea lattes, which could be made with added sugars or caloric milks.
Ginger Tea
"Enjoying a cup of hot ginger tea may benefit weight loss by promoting fullness, reducing hunger, and decreasing calorie intake," Jillian said. "What's more, research shows that ginger tea actually increases thermogenesis [11] (heat production in the body), which can help you burn more calories overall."
Dietitian Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN, founder of Real Nutrition NYC [12], added that cinnamon tea could also be effective since cinnamon is known to help regulate blood sugar [13], which may help minimize belly fat.
Apple Cider Vinegar
"Adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to water may help promote fat loss [14]," Jillian said. "Apple cider vinegar slows digestion, which can keep you feeling fuller for a longer period of time and may help reduce overeating."
Amy agrees and said apple cider vinegar diluted in water may help metabolize and digest carbs.
