3 Veggies that help you get Six Pack Abs

Obtaining six pack abs takes more than crunches. In fact, it takes more than any amount of specialized ab workout programs and hours of cardio. While these are crucial in building a visibly rock hard stomach, there are other factors which play into fighting abdominal fat. One of these is being aware of harmful chemicals which infiltrate daily life--and knowing how to fight them. Thankfully, there is an easy way to do so--with three vegetables that fight abdominal fat.

Xenoestrogens are the chemicals responsible for fighting back at the attempts to lower body fat percentages and show off six pack abs. Xeno is Latin for ‘foreign,’ making the word literally mean ‘foreign estrogen.’ They are manmade and similar to estrogen. However, they are often much stronger, making the natural effects of estrogen in the body much more dominant While estrogen is essential to the body, too much of it (and in processed forms) results in unwanted, even harmful, side effects.

As xenoestrogens are similar to estrogen, they work to store fat. Worse yet, most xenoestrogens are fat soluble. The result is an unwanted layer of fat surrounding the abs, consequently making it very difficult to lose weight.

Xenoestrogens are found in numerous common items including coffee, plastic bottled water, laundry detergent, shampoos, lotions, birth control pills, pesticides, heated plastics, cosmetics, and commercially raised meat. Just to mention a few of the areas xenoestrogens filter into everyone’s lives.

While xenoestrogens manage to make their presence into nearly every major--and minor--area of life, there are ways to combat it. One of the most simple is with a group of vegetables that effectively fight abdominal fat.

These are cruciferous vegetables, so named because of their cross-shaped leaf patterns. Cruciferous vegetables work to remove excess estrogen--including xenoestrogens--from the body due to the compound contained in them called Indole 3 Carbinol (I3C). With the xenoestrogens removed, the natural estrogen inside the body can work the way it is supposed to, helping the body release fat from cells during workouts.

Of all the cruciferous vegetables, the three vegetables that fight abdominal fat the best are kale, broccoli, and brussels sprout. Kale has the most vitamin A; broccoli has the most vitamin C; and brussels sprout (along with broccoli) have the most folic acid. Brussels sprouts also have a high amount of vitamins B-1 and E. Together, this powerful trilogy of vegetables work to eliminate xenoestrogens, consequently eliminating belly fat and resulting in an impressive set of six pack abs.

Kale, broccoli, and brussels sprouts can be purchased year round, regardless of location. Shop at local farmer’s markets during the spring and summer months to be sure to get these vegetables fresh and organic. In off season, grocery stores are sure to carry them. Or join a co-op. Co-ops can ship in organic vegetables, making them easily available.

These three vegetables can be eaten raw by themselves or mixed together in a salad. Broccoli and brussels sprouts can also be lightly tossed in virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper and broiled in the oven for a succulent taste. Kale is tasty steamed or braised and mixed together with apples or nuts.

In order to get six pack abs, one has to be aware of xenoestrogens which sabotage efforts to achieve ripped abs by actually building up stomach fat. Eating these three vegetables is just as essential as ab workouts and sweaty cardio sessions in order to fight abdominal fat and result in a set of ripped six pack abs.