No matter where fat shows up on our bodies, we always worry, especially when it’s in the form of a bulge in our tummies. If you’re a lady and your waist size measures above 35 inches, or if you’re a man and your waist size measures above 40 inches, chances are you have a large chunk of belly fat. According to doctors, this might be dangerous for your health.

Bright Side takes health issues seriously, so we learned all about the dangers of carrying belly fat and want to share our findings with you.

This article is for informational purposes only. Please visit a doctor to get professional advice.

1. Higher risk of developing diabetes

When your liver is covered with fatty tissue as a result of excess belly fat, it fails to process blood sugar well enough. This, in turn, traps sugar in your bloodstream instead of the sugar being processed by the liver. This might lead to you having a higher blood sugar level which can cause diabetes.

2. Higher risk of metabolic syndrome

Developing metabolic syndrome is a risk you face when you have a large waistline. When you have belly fat and a large waistline, you can become prone to developing heart disease, diabetes, and strokes. People with a higher risk factor indicate they’re more prone to any of the diseases mentioned above.

3. Higher risk of having cancer

A new study shows that a type of protein released from belly fat can turn non-cancerous cells into cancerous ones, resulting in tumor growth.

4. Higher risk of cardiovascular disease

It’s been proven that visceral fat cells in the abdomen can produce proteins that are capable of constricting blood vessels, which can result in high blood pressure. Also, these proteins can cause arteries to clog, making one vulnerable to strokes and heart attacks.

5. Higher risk of dementia

According to a study, women with a large amount of abdominal fat are 3 times more likely to develop dementia. This is mostly caused by visceral fat, a deep belly or abdominal fat.

Do you think belly fat is dangerous to our health in more ways than we mentioned? We’d really love for you to share your knowledge with our community.

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