The key to reducing belly fat may lie not so much in focusing on specific items, but rather the food groups they belong to, a doctor has shared.
Sharing his pearls of wisdom on TikTok, Dr Robert G DeBease says there's a whole family of veggies that can work wonders for your health.
He specifically points to broccoli, kale and cauliflower as star players in this group, with additional options including bok choi and cabbage.
All these vegetables are part of the cruciferous family, and according to Dr DeBease, they pack some serious health benefits that go beyond basic nutrition.
Vegetables can work wonders for fat loss
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He explained they can help your liver by cutting down on fat build-up and making your body better at burning fat overall. In addition, they also help your liver produce special enzymes that get rid of nasties.
"They also help create liver-detoxifying enzymes to remove harmful estrogen, environmental toxins and heavy metals," the doctor shared.
It's brilliant how these everyday vegetables can give your metabolism a proper boost while protecting one of your most important organs.
Whether you're tucking into a Sunday roast with cauliflower or adding kale to your morning smoothie, you're doing your body a favour.
The doctor pointed out that a special feature about how they grow is their flower petals forming little crosses.
"Well, when this particular vegetable starts to grow, there are actually little crosses or crucifixes all over the flower petals," Dr DeBease revealed.
It's this cross shape that gives cruciferous vegetables their name - the word comes from Latin and means 'cross-bearing'.
The doctor drew comparisons to other foods that seem perfectly designed for our bodies.
"You know how a walnut looks like a brain, and it's actually good for the brain? And carrots, they look like your eyes and are good for your eyes?" he points out.
There's plenty more to choose from in the cruciferous family, such as collard greens, Brussels sprouts, rocket, chard, daikon, mustard greens and turnips - all offering similar benefits.
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Everyday vegetables can give your metabolism a proper boost
| GETTYThese veggies come in different colours and sizes, but they're all nutritional powerhouses.
The darker green ones are particularly good sources of vitamins A and C, while most are packed with folate and vitamin K.
Research suggests they contain special plant compounds that might help reduce inflammation and lower cancer risk.
It's worth noting these vegetables work best as part of a varied diet that includes other fruits and veggies, whole grains, protein and healthy fats.
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