What Is Beige Fat, and Is It Healthy?

"But not all fat is white: mammals also have brown fatso named for its rusty color, thanks to a high concentration of iron-rich mitochondriawhich does the opposite, burning energy to keep the body warm. And then there is beige fat. First proposed to exist in 2008, beige fat is located in white fat tissue, but it functions like brown fat, burning energy efficiently when exposed to cold temperatures."

"High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The study, led by researchers at Rockefeller University, builds on previous work in humans showing a correlation between brown fat and lower blood pressure. In humans, brown fat is most prevalent in infants and primarily located in stores between our shoulder blades. Scientists believe this fat, as in other mammals, is meant to keep us warm in cold temperatures."

White fat cells store excess calories, providing insulation and cushioning for muscles, bones and organs. Brown fat contains iron-rich mitochondria and burns energy to generate heat. Beige fat resides within white fat tissue but functions like brown fat, burning energy efficiently when exposed to cold. Beige fat was proposed in 2008 and first isolated in 2012. Recent evidence links beige fat to cardiovascular benefits; a new study in mice shows beige fat lowers blood pressure. In humans, brown fat is most prevalent in infants, located between the shoulder blades, and diminishes with age.

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