Having abdominal fat is considered an indicator of long-term poor health, raising risk of conditions such as diabetes and fatty liver disease. However, can belly fat offer protective benefits? Well, researchers now say it may benefit brain health but depends on the age of the person.
Researchers from Toho University in Japan conducted a mice study to examine the impact of visceral fat on brain health across different stages of aging. They analyzed mice at 5, 10, and 18 months old, which roughly equated to young adulthood, middle age, and old age in humans. By comparing these age groups, the researchers aimed to understand how changes in visceral fat function over time might influence cognitive health and brain-related proteins.
