Brown fat, also called brown adipose tissue (BAT), is a special type of body fat that burns energy to produce heat rather than storing it.
How it’s different from regular fat
- White fat: stores excess calories as energy (the kind most people think of as body fat).
- Brown fat: burns calories to keep you warm, especially in cold conditions.
What makes brown fat special
- It’s rich in mitochondria (the cell’s “power plants”), which give it the brown color.
- It contains a protein called UCP1 that allows it to convert energy directly into heat.
- It helps with thermogenesis — warming your body without shivering.
Where it’s found
- Babies have a lot of brown fat to help regulate body temperature.
- Adults have smaller amounts, mainly around the neck, shoulders, upper chest, and spine.
Why it matters
- Activating brown fat can:
- Increase calorie burning
- Improve blood sugar control
- Support metabolic health
- This is why it’s studied in relation to obesity and diabetes.
Can you increase or activate it?
- Cold exposure (cool environments, cold showers)
- Exercise
