Not all body fat is the same—and the one you really need to pay attention to is visceral fat. “Visceral fat is the fat that’s stored deep inside your abdomen, surrounding your organs like your liver, stomach and intestines,” explains Lauren Manaker, M.S., RDN, LD. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which lies just beneath the skin, visceral fat isn’t visible—but it poses greater health risks, including a higher likelihood of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

The good news? Visceral fat responds well to lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. The bad news? There’s no quick fix to magically melt it away overnight. That said, there are foods and beverages that may support visceral fat loss, such as tea. When we asked dietitians which tea is best to help lose visceral fat, their answer was unanimous: green tea. Keep reading to learn the science behind green tea and how it may support visceral fat loss.

Benefits of Green Tea

May Reduce Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. It’s defined as having three or more of the following conditions:

• Abdominal/central obesity (excess fat around the stomach area)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High blood sugar
• High triglycerides
• Low HDL (“good”) cholesterol

Addressing metabolic syndrome is crucial for your health, and often involves reducing visceral fat. Fortunately, some research suggests that drinking green tea may support its management. Green tea contains catechins, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and blood pressure. As metabolic syndrome improves, the body’s ability to mobilize and burn visceral fat also increases.

Although promising, not all research shows a strong link between green tea consumption and improvements in metabolic syndrome, so more studies are needed. Still, given its beneficial properties, regularly drinking it is a healthier alternative to sugary beverages or energy drinks.

May Support Weight Loss

Research on green tea and weight loss often examines overall body fat rather than visceral fat specifically. However, some evidence suggests that components of green tea—especially catechins and caffeine—may help reduce fat around the midsection, where visceral fat is more concentrated, explains Ali McGowan, M.S., RD, LDN. 

“Green tea contains compounds called catechins, which may help improve how your body uses energy,” she adds. It’s thought that these compounds can affect fat metabolism, contributing to weight loss. For instance, some observational research suggests people who regularly drink green tea alongside other healthy lifestyle habits tend to see greater total fat loss compared to non-tea drinkers.  Beyond this, most other studies focus on green tea extract—a highly concentrated source of catechins—rather than the brewed beverage, making it difficult to know the true effects of drinking green tea on weight loss and whether these effects would be clinically meaningful.

So, while it’s uncertain if green tea—particularly the brewed variety—directly promotes visceral fat loss, it may support fat loss by reducing calorie intake. If you typically drink calorie-dense, sugary drinks, swapping them for green tea can be an easy way to cut calories and sugar, which could support a calorie deficit needed for weight loss.

May Lower Inflammation

Multiple factors, including visceral fat and body weight, can drive inflammation in the body, which plays a role in the development of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Green tea catechins, such as EGCG, may help counter this process by boosting antioxidant levels in the body, McGowan explains.

For example, one study found that consuming 1 to 4 cups of green tea daily was linked with a decreased risk of heart disease, which the authors attributed to green tea’s anti-inflammatory properties.

Green tea’s potential role in reducing visceral fat may add to this benefit, since visceral fat is metabolically active and releases pro-inflammatory molecules. In turn, reducing visceral fat can improve inflammatory markers tied to metabolic syndrome and other chronic conditions.

May Reduce Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells become less sensitive to insulin, the hormone that helps move glucose into cells for energy. Although many factors contribute, excess visceral fat plays a major role. In visceral fat tissue, insulin resistance disrupts normal glucose removal and promotes chronic, low-grade inflammation, leading to abnormal fat distribution and impaired metabolism.,

Fortunately, green tea consumption may counter these effects. One meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in individuals with type 2 diabetes found that green tea consumption improved fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c and HOMA-IR levels—a marker of insulin resistance. By supporting blood sugar regulation and lowering inflammation, green tea may improve overall metabolic health, including the management of visceral fat.

Other Strategies to Lose Visceral Fat

Although green tea may help support visceral fat loss, the most effective approach is a balanced lifestyle rather than relying on one food, nutrient or activity. Here are some other strategies to help lose visceral fat:

• Strength-Train. Strength training helps your body build muscle, which supports a healthy metabolism and body composition. Having more muscle mass can slightly increase resting energy expenditure. “Over time, this makes it easier to tap into stored fat, including the deeper fat around your organs,” says McGowan.
• Do Cardio. Cardio exercise not only supports a healthy cardiovascular system, but it has also been linked to meaningful weight and fat loss. Combining this with strength training provides a well-rounded approach to fitness.
• Eat Enough Protein. Consuming enough protein promotes muscle growth and keeps you full, which can support a healthy body composition and prevent overeating. Some research has also linked high-protein diets with a reduction in visceral fat, though higher-quality studies are still needed.,
• Get Enough Sleep. “Poor sleep can increase stress hormones like cortisol, which may encourage visceral fat storage,” notes Manaker. Additionally, inadequate sleep can affect appetite, which may lead to poorer food choices and contribute to the accumulation of visceral fat over time.
• Manage Stress. Stress-management techniques, such as journaling, movement, deep breathing, yoga and meditation, may contribute to reducing visceral fat. “Chronic stress may lead to higher cortisol levels, which are linked to visceral fat,” explains Manaker.
• Skip the Added Sugar. Green tea is a great beverage choice, but adding excess sugar to it may negate some of its health benefits, warns Manaker. 
• Limit or Avoid Alcohol. Drinking alcohol too often or in excess is associated with greater visceral fat storage and poorer metabolic health.

Our Expert Take

There’s no single magic fix to melting away visceral fat, but adding green tea to your daily routine may give you an extra edge. Thanks to its antioxidant-rich compounds, green tea shows promise in supporting metabolic health, including improving insulin resistance and reducing visceral fat—though more research is needed to confirm its exact role. The good news? Green tea is a safe, health-supporting beverage that most people can enjoy daily. When paired with a well-rounded lifestyle, this can be a great tool to help reduce visceral fat.

Health officials are warning about the potentially deadly dangers of a synthetic kratom compound after it was linked to three recent fatal overdoses in Los Angeles County.

A compound known as 7-Hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, was ruled a contributing cause of death in three otherwise healthy adults between the ages 18 and 40, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Alcohol was also found in all three individuals.

Kratom is derived from the leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a tree native to Southeast Asia. 7-OH is the psychoactive component of those leaves, which proponents tout as a cure-all for chronic pain, anxiety and opioid-use disorder — as well as an aid to increase alertness and energy.

A synthetically concentrated version of 7-OH is also used in products commonly sold at gas stations and smoke shops in L.A. County and across the nation. These products come in forms such as tablets, teas, gummies and concentrated shots for drinking, all of which the public health department warns carry an increased risk of adverse effects.

The department urges residents to look out for products with labels such as “plant alkaloids” or simply “alkaloid,” as they may contain 7-OH.

“At low doses, 7-OH can have stimulant-like effects and at higher doses it has opioid-like effects,” the department said in a statement. “High doses of 7-OH and/or [co-use] with alcohol or other sedatives can cause severe respiratory depression and death.”

The department warns residents to avoid using the compound and, above all, to avoid mixing it with other drugs. The department also recommends carrying naloxone, which can reverse 7-OH toxicity as well as opioid overdoses.

While kratom itself is not an opioid, it has similar effects and in high doses synthetic 7-OH can act more like a traditional opioid.

In July, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning that there are no federally approved drugs containing 7-OH and that it is illegal to add the compound to dietary supplements or advertise products containing it.

“Consumers who use 7-OH products are exposing themselves to products that have not been proven safe or effective for any use,” the FDA stated.

Some states, including Arizona, Minnesota and Texas, prohibit the sale of products with 7-OH to minors.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors also recently passed a ban on the sale or possession of synthetic kratom products. Similar restrictions are in place in Newport Beach, San Diego and Oceanside.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health did not respond to a request for comment Friday evening about whether the agency would support similar restrictions in light of the recent overdoses.

However, a spokesperson told The Times last month that the department was reviewing the O.C. ordinance and is committed to raising public awareness about the dangers associated with kratom.

Last year, California legislators shelved a bill that would have imposed regulations on kratom products amid a clash between advocacy groups. The bill sought to ban the sale of kratom products to anyone under 21, require clear labeling and prohibit the sale of synthetic kratom compounds.

Times staff writer Karen Garcia and former staff writer Emily Alpert Reyes contributed to this report.

• Indian Patent granted for proprietary Plant-Based Vitamin D3 manufacturing process created in-house by Fermenta’s R&D

• Strengthens Fermenta’s IP portfolio and leadership in sustainable Vitamin D3 solutions

• Reinforces Fermenta’s commitment to vegan and vegetarian-friendly nutritional ingredients

THANE, India, Sept. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Fermenta Biotech Limited (BSE: 506414) (Bloomberg: FERMENTA:IN) (Reuters: FERM.BO), India’s leading manufacturer of premium-grade APIs, intermediates, and nutritional premixes for global markets, today announced that the Indian Patent Office has formally granted a patent for its invention of a plant-based Vitamin D3.

Fermenta’s newly granted patent safeguards its proprietary process for producing plant-based Vitamin D3, marking a significant advancement in its innovation pipeline and reinforcing its leadership in the global Vitamin D3 domain. This market-leading vegan solution responds to the accelerating global demand for ethically sourced, sustainable nutrition and positions Fermenta at the forefront of the plant-based nutrition revolution.

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By enabling the production of completely vegan and vegetarian-friendly Vitamin D3, the invention captures emerging opportunities across nutraceutical and food fortification sectors, where sustainable, plant-derived ingredients command premiums and growing market share.

Mr. Prashant Nagre, Managing Director of Fermenta, said, “The grant of this patent is a proud milestone in our journey of innovation. It reflects our dedication to addressing evolving consumer needs with environmentally conscious solutions. Plant-based Vitamin D3 represents the future of nutrition, and this patent reinforces our ability to deliver differentiated offerings that create long-lasting impact for both our partners and society at large. It also strengthens India’s role as a hub for pioneering industrial innovation, showcasing how local science can contribute to global wellness.”

This milestone not only strengthens Fermenta’s competitive moat but also diversifies its pioneering legacy in biotechnology and nutrition, supporting its vision to address global nutrition gaps while maintaining scientific excellence and sustainability leadership.

About Fermenta Biotech Limited:

Founded in 1951, Fermenta Biotech Limited (Fermenta) possesses a growing portfolio of nutrition including Customized Premixes, Fortified Rice Kernel (FRK) and other nutritional ingredients. Apart from its nutrition portfolio, Fermenta is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of Vitamin D3. It caters to over 400 customers across 60 countries with a worldwide distribution network for a variety of applications such as pharmaceuticals, dietary and nutritional supplements, food, animal nutrition and rodenticides. Fermenta’s manufacturing facilities in Kullu, Dahej and Tirupati are certified by global accreditations, and its world class R&D centre is located at Thane. Fermenta also possesses expertise in green chemistry such as enzymes for antibiotic synthesis, other niche APIs and environmental solutions.

For more information about Fermenta and its business, please visit our website www.fermentabiotech.com.

Safe Harbor:

Statements in this document relating to future status, events, or circumstances, including but not limited to statements about plans and objectives, the progress and results of research and development, potential project characteristics, project potential and target dates for project related issues are forward-looking statements based on estimates and the anticipated effects of future events on current and developing circumstances. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties and are not necessarily predictive of future results. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Fermenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors.

For further details please contact:

For Fermenta Biotech Limited

Name: Mr Prashant Nagre

Designation: Managing Director

Email ID: prashant.nagre@fermentabiotech.com

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