Melt away that stubborn fat with these drinks

Who doesn’t know that the right diet and regular exercise help one lose weight? And yet, there are several other daily lifestyle changes and activities that can bring about weight loss as well. For instance, having enough water, or liquidbased food not only keeps you hydrated, but prevents you from overeating (which often happens when the brain confuses thirst with hunger). Studies have shown that a liquid-rich diet can also help shed stubborn belly fat. Here are a few drinks effective in weight loss:

■ Matcha: A finely ground green tea, matcha was consumed by monks in ancient Japan as a beverage of choice. Today, it is either mixed with milk or water, and consumed for its health benefits. Matcha is high in antioxidants, increases energy levels, helps to burn calories, detoxifies the body and improves cholesterol levels.

■ Apple cider vinegar: This common form of vinegar has many health benefits, including weight loss and lowering blood sugar levels. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which according to studies, can prevent a person from gaining body fat.

■ Cranberry juice: This is a natural diuretic and flushes out excess water, a contributing factor in excess weight. It also contains anthocyanin, an antioxidant that combats infections, disease, and manages cholesterol levels.

■ Turmeric tea: Believed to improve digestion, turmeric tea boosts your metabolism and promotes weight loss. Turmeric has a bioactive compound called curcumin, which has healing properties, and suppresses the growth of fat tissues to reduce weight.

■ Fenugreek (methi) seeds soaked in water: Fenugreek seeds contain galactomanna, a watersoluble component that keeps you satiated. It also increases the metabolic rate of the body. Roast methi seeds and crush it into fine powder. Have it on an empty stomach with water first thing in the morning or soak it overnight and chew on the seeds in the morning to speed up weight loss.