Within the community of Ribchester and beyond, we have grown significantly in our comprehension of fat and its impact on the human body over the years. Previously, all fats were indiscriminately vilified, but the common understanding of fats has evolved – we now differentiate between beneficial fats and harmful fats while acknowledging their crucial role as macronutrients in performing essential body functions.
The topic of fat goes beyond its general good or bad classification. How aware are you of the distinction between brown fat and white fat? Many may be unfamiliar with the various shades fat can assume. However, scientists have been conducting research on brown fat for some time, and it’s increasingly appearing in diverse discussions ranging from workouts to cold plunges.
Studies have established that brown fat can indeed provide tangible benefits for our bodies. But first, we should understand what brown fat is.
Brown fat, also recognized as brown adipose tissue (BAT), is a distinct form of adipose tissue that is marginally darker than typical – or white – fat. Unlike white fat that predominantly serves as an energy storage medium for the body, brown fat exhibits greater metabolic activity. It has a crucial role in generating body heat and assisting in calorie burning, which makes it instrumental in managing our body weight.
Individuals vary in the amount of fat they carry, but everyone has only a small percentage of brown fat relative to white fat. It has been observed that athletes and lean individuals generally possess a higher volume of brown fat.
Still confused? Here is a brief video by Dr. Ben Bikman expounding on the contrast between white fat and brown fat:
Brown Fat Benefits
The primary function of brown fat is the generation of heat to warm the blood coursing within the body, which offers multiple advantages.
1. Enhanced Calorie Burning
Brown fat cells are packed with large quantities of mitochondria – the cell’s power generators. This endows them with the capability to burn calories to produce heat, subsequently aiding in weight control.
2. Regulation of Body’s Temperature
When the temperature drops, brown fat metabolizes blood sugar and fat molecules to create heat through a process known as thermogenesis. This assists in maintaining a constant body temperature.
3. Boosting Insulin Sensitivity
Activation of brown fat elevates the body’s metabolic rate, fostering a negative energy equilibrium. This can potentially alleviate metabolic health conditions such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
You might be asking how you can raise your body’s brown fat content naturally. It turns out that there are some very feasible ways of doing this:
1. Lower the Temperature
Before you start shivering, brown fat gets activated in lower temperatures. Thus, exposure to cold, either by turning down the heater, taking a cold shower or plunging into the Ribchester River during winter, can stimulate brown fat and help burn more calories.
2. Maintain a Healthy and Balanced Diet
Regardless of your health objectives, your diet will have a critical role in your journey. Strive for foods rich in healthy fats and fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, along with iron-rich foods such as meat, green leafy veggies, and beans to ensure your fat cells stay robust. Shun ultra-processed foods to support metabolic wellness and brown fat operation.
3. Regular Exercise
Consistent exercise can significantly influence brown fat activity and can assist in converting white fat into beige fat – a process wherein white fat emulates brown fat’s behaviour.
4. Consume Yerba Mate
A traditional mood and energy booster, Yerba mate is now recognized as a potential promoter of satiety and fat burning. Research on Unimate, Unicity’s ultra-purified yerba mate drink, indicated subjects who consumed it showed a notable decrease in cellular vitality and metabolic efficiency compared to those who merely drank water. This suggested their fat cells were possibly consuming energy to generate heat, akin to the thermogenic process within brown fat cells.
Brown fat has emerged as an encouraging target in the pursuit of metabolic health and weight management due to its exceptional ability to burn calories and regulate energy usage. Keeping the aforementioned tips in view can help you reap maximum benefits from the brown fat in our bodies in Ribchester and beyond.