Eating more of six food groups can help you lose weight and flatten your abs

One of the best ways to reduce inflammation and flatten the midriff is by ditching processed foods, certified wellness expert and author at The Ultimate Health Model Benjamin L. Smith, PHC said.

Instead, opt for whole foods like fruits, vegetables and animal products.

Benjamin continued: "Exercise isn’t the path toward weight loss. The focus should be on reducing inflammation. The more chronic inflammation a person has, the harder it is to lose fat.

"A proper diet is real foods, such as meat, cheese, eggs, butter, vegetables and fruits. That’s it. Anything that God put on this earth to eat that is a whole food.

"Anything else, don’t eat it. A proper diet is real, one-ingredient whole food."

Whole foods are packed full of nutrients, vitamins, fibre and protein, which are all great for overall health as well as weight loss.

A study published in the National Library of Medicine found people could lose more weight on a whole food diet because it prompts them to eat less.

This is because nutrient-dense foods helped participants to feel fuller and more satisfied, meaning they ate fewer calories in total.

Many whole foods, such as meat, fish and dairy, are high in protein. Protein is a macronutrient that keeps people feeling full and affects the production of hormones that help regulate weight.

Benjamin shared other things people can do to reduce inflammation, such as sleeping, getting plenty of sun exposure and exercising.

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However, he warned working out alone is not enough for weight loss.

The expert said: "Exercise isn’t the path toward weight loss. The focus should be on reducing inflammation. The more chronic inflammation a person has, the harder it is to lose fat."

Reducing inflammation can prompt weight loss and is likely to make the midriff seem smaller. This is because it will reduce bloating of the stomach.