How brown fat' could be your key to losing weight this winter

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"Being cold could be the key to losing weight this winter, thanks to a special type of fat. Unlike white fat, which serves as energy reserves for the body, brown fat converts calories into heat when we are cold. In theory, turning the thermostat down or having a cold water swim could boost the benefits of brown fat in our bodies. But experts explain it may not be as simple as taking a cold plunge to harness our brown fat."

"Brown fat is found in plentiful amounts in babies because they do not have enough muscle to shiver and brown fat helps to keep them warm. The fat cells do this by containing a high number of mitochondria, which produce energy inside a cell. The types of mitochondria inside fat cells are able to convert calories from food into heat. The caveat is that adults have far less brown fat than babies, making it harder for us to harness the calorie-converting benefits."

The Independent funds on-the-ground reporting across topics from reproductive rights to climate change and Big Tech and asks for donations to continue sending journalists. The outlet refuses paywalls and relies on contributions from readers who can afford it to keep reporting accessible. Brown fat differs from white fat by converting calories into heat through mitochondria-rich cells, and is abundant in babies who cannot shiver. Cold exposure, like lowering thermostats or cold water swims, may theoretically increase brown fat benefits. Experts caution that adults have far less brown fat than infants, making meaningful weight-loss effects difficult to achieve.

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