Potbelly is a metabolic crisis, not just a cosmetic issue – Dr Ebo Daniels

Chief Executive Officer of Solis Hospital, Dr Ebo Daniels, has cautioned Ghanaians against excessive consumption of sugary foods and drinks, warning that the resulting accumulation of abdominal fat can trigger low-grade inflammation and increase the risk of serious health complications.

According to him, frequent intake of excess sugar causes the body to convert the surplus into fat, some of which is stored around the abdomen as visceral fat.

Dr Daniels made the comments while speaking on The Healthy Living Project on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, September 1.

He explained that repeated exposure to high levels of sugar can cause the body’s cells to become less responsive to insulin, potentially progressing from insulin resistance to pre-diabetes and diabetes.

“When every day you keep taking it, insulin will keep working until one day it gets tired, and then the cells will also stop responding because insulin has become a very nuisance in terms of messaging. So that’s where insulin resistance comes in,” he said.

Dr Daniels said the accumulation of visceral fat should not be treated merely as a cosmetic issue because of its effects on the body.

“Once you get a potbelly, now we are in a metabolic crisis. That pot belly is a whole endocrine system on its own. The potbelly is a source of low-grade inflammation. And low-grade inflammation, once you have it in the body, it can affect any part of the body,” he explained.

Dr Daniels consequently encouraged Ghanaians to cut down on excess sugar and make healthier dietary choices, including eating whole fruits rather than regularly consuming fruit juices.

CitiNewsRoom