This Is Why That Beer Belly Of Yours Is Really, Really Bad For You

Bad news, guys: That gut of yours that started to emerge over the past few years is really, really bad for you.

This sad conclusion comes from a new study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers found carrying fat around your midsection is more deadly than being overweight or obese.

So basically, you can have a normal BMI and be skinny everywhere else, but that belly fat is putting your health at high risk.

But why is belly fat so dangerous? The type of fat the collects around the midsection surrounds some of your vital organs, including the liver.

The liver turns this fat into cholesterol, which can lead to clogged arteries, and clogged arteries often lead to heart disease. Yikes.

While the "beer belly" is more common in men than women, women probably won't love this news, either. One study found nearly 3 out of 4 British women prefer men with beer bellies over super-toned guys.

So, it looks like women will have to shift their preferences and guys will have to start making some lifestyle changes, like getting more exercise and focusing more on strength training.

Who's up for hitting the gym instead of happy hour?