A new study published in the journal Nature Metabolism suggests that regular exercise over a long period may lead to healthier belly fat in overweight or obese individuals.
Researchers at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology found that exercisers had a greater capacity to store fat just below the skin, which is considered a healthier type of fat storage.
The study involved 32 adults with obesity or overweight, half of whom were regular exercisers who worked out at least four times a week for at least two years.
The researchers took samples of belly fat tissue from just under the skin and found that exercisers’ tissue had more blood vessels and beneficial proteins, indicating a lower chance of inflammation.
The study’s findings are significant because where fat is stored in the body can have different health impacts. Fat stored just under the skin has less potential for negative health impacts compared to visceral fat, which is stored around or inside organs.
Visceral fat has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Regular exercise may help mitigate these risks by promoting healthier fat storage.
According to researcher Jeffrey Horowitz, PhD, “Our findings indicate that exercising regularly for several months to years seems to modify your fat tissue in ways that allows you to store your body fat more healthfully.”
The study’s results suggest that regular exercise can have long-term benefits for overall health, even if weight gain occurs.
