Flat-Belly Foods and Nutrients

What it is: Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin otherwise known as ascorbic acid.

The belly-flattening science: In addition to boosting the immune system and helping to fight of colds, C also plays a role in helping you get physique you want. A recent study by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found the higher the vitamin C content in blood samples of participants, the lower the waist-to-hip ratio was for both men and women.

C can also help you burn more fat. A 2006 study by the University of Arizona found that those with higher vitamin C in their system oxidized 25 percent more fat during the treadmill test than those with “marginal vitamin C status.”

Foods to choose: Green peppers, citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, leafy greens, sweet and white potatoes, and cantaloupe.