Visceral Fat Increases With More Frequent Drinking Of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages

New U.S. research has found a correlation between frequent drinking of sugary beverages and harmful visceral fat in middle-aged adults. Visceral (or deep) fat surrounds the liver, pancreas and intestines, adversely affecting hormone function. It is thought to play a large role in insulin resistance that boosts type 2 diabetes and heart disease risk. For the study, 1,003 men and women (average age 45) who answered food questionnaires and underwent CT scans were monitored for six years. At the end, researchers found that regardless of age, gender, physical activity, body mass index and other factors, visceral fat volume increased by 658 cm³ for non-drinkers, 649 cm³ for occasional drinkers, 707 cm³ for frequent drinkers, and 852 cm³ for those who drank one beverage daily.