Waist fat builds up in just 3-4 hours after a meal - much faster than previously thought, a study found.
People who like to eat in the evening should pay attention to the fact that the fat in the products consumed in the late hours are much more likely to be stored in the waist area, experts explain.
The findings of the new study contradict the widespread belief that weight gain is gradual. According to theories, food fats are transported from the intestines to the blood, where they can be used by muscle. Until now, the accumulation of fat in the waist, thighs and legs was thought to be a relatively slow process.
A new study from Oxford University traces the effect of fat consumption among volunteers. Their observations show that it takes about an hour for the fat to reach the intestines, then enter the bloodstream like small droplets.
Subsequently, the process of their spread in the body is very fast, explains Prof. Fredrik Carpe. The cells in the adipose tissue around the waist capture the fat droplets, with the help of the circulatory system, thus uniting with the fat-storing cells.
Only a small portion of the fat consumed at breakfast passes through this "route", but significantly more are taken with dinner, scientists explain. This is due to hormonal changes that occur later in the day, which contributes to much easier accumulation of fat in the waist area.
The good news is that the storage system is temporary because it mobilizes fat in a short time to "feed" the muscles, explains Prof. Carpe. But people who overeat do not go through this phase of mobilization, which leads to constant accumulation of fat and weight gain, the expert warns.