Over the years, body fat has got a bad reputation, especially among people trying to lose weight! Body fat has been linked to many chronic diseases, but not all of it is bad. In fact, your body needs fat to function properly.
For the unversed, fat is required to store energy in the body and absorb essential nutrients. Did you know that body fat is made up of different colours? Scientists have identified it as brown and white. Brown fat is particularly beneficial for your health.
Health Shots asked Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator and Physiotherapist Dr Archana Batra some questions about brown fat and how it works.
What is brown fat?
Brown fat or brown adipose fat (BAT) is a type of body that helps regulate your body temperature in cold weather, explains Dr Batra. She further explains that it activates when you shiver. “In comparison to white fat, you have a small percentage of brown fat in your body. Brown fat is in charge of producing heat in order to warm the blood in your body. It generates heat by breaking down blood sugar and fat molecules. This process generates heat to assist you in maintaining your body temperature.”
How is it different from other fats?
Brown fat is very different from white fat, according to the expert. She explains that while white fat is responsible to store extra energy, brown fat generates heat to help maintain body temperature. Mitochondria is the “powerhouse of cells” that is used as a source of energy by your body. “Brown fat contains many more mitochondria than white fat cells and uses them to generate heat and keep your bodies warm. It reduces the risk of heart diseases and diabetes. People with brown fat had significantly lower rates of type 2 diabetes than people without brown fat,” Dr Batra highlights.
Is there a way to build brown fat in the body?
As per the expert, some lifestyle changes can help you build brown fat and keep your health in check.