Could this be the ultimate secret to flat abs?

Researchers have found a way to get rid of belly pudge and increase lean muscle. We're psyched about the results, especially considering they don't include the words "do crunches" or "stop eating a certain kind of food." No, the authors of the study say that if you're looking to slim down around your middle, you should eat more protein in the form of dairy products since that was found to lead to overall weight loss and abdominal weight loss in women.

The study, which was published in the September issue of the Journal of Nutrition, compared three groups of overweight women. One group ate a low amount of dairy food, one at a medium amount, and the third ate a high amount. Their exercise routines were identical. At the end of the four-month testing period, the women who were on a higher-protein, higher-dairy diet "experienced greater whole-body fat and abdomen fat losses, greater lean mass gains and greater increases in strength", according to a write-up on EurekAlert.org. More specifically, those who consumed a lot of dairy lost twice as much belly fat as the others. 

These women had a "major change in body composition," explained Andrea Josse, lead author. "The preservation or even gain of muscle is very important for maintaining metabolic rate and preventing weight regain, which can be [a] major problem for many seeking to lose weight."

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The women in the other two groups also lost some weight (thanks to the exercise plan all the participants were on), but some of that downtick on the scale was due to a loss of muscle tissue. And the researchers said it's for this exact reason that a dietary success shouldn't be based on weight alone.

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Oh, and this doesn't give you free rein to start eating ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sure, it's high in dairy, but the calories and fat content will counteract the belly fat-blasting power of milk products. Instead, up your dairy intake by adding low-fat or non-fat milk or yogurt to your diet. OK fine, and ice cream on occasion. 

Ref:  http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/could-this-be-the-ultimate-secret-to-flat-abs--055830649.html