Surprise HRT benefit

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is typically taken to ease menopause symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia and mood swings—and new research in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals that HRT can also trim dangerous belly fat. In an analysis of data from 1,053 postmenopausal women, those who used HRT had significantly lower levels of visceral fat (hard fat around the abdomen that can harm the organs) and less body fat than their counterparts who had never taken hormones. According to the study authors, HRT helps smooth out the menopause-related hormonal fluctuations that can cause weight gain.