Foods That Activate Brown Fat for Healthier Metabolism

Despite what many people believe, not all fat in our bodies is undesirable. 

In addition to the “bad” kind called white fat that is implicated in obesity and its associated health conditions, we also have a unique type of fat called brown fat. 

This beneficial fat—also known as brown adipose tissue (BAT)—burns more calories than typical fat tissue and supports healthy metabolism and body weight.

In this article, learn more about the health benefits of brown fat, how it can be a secret weapon for weight loss, and how to turn white fat into brown fat naturally with food, supplements, spices, and lifestyle changes.

What Is Brown Fat? 

Brown fat is beneficial because it contains higher quantities of iron-rich mitochondria, providing the tissue with its copper-brown color. 

The energy-producing mitochondria in brown fat act as little engines that create heat from energy—also known as brown fat thermogenesis. 

Researchers once thought that only infants had brown fat because they can’t maintain their body temperature by shivering, so they use their heat-producing brown fat engines to keep them warm instead.

Now, we know that adults carry this healthy fat, too—albeit in smaller amounts, especially in cases of advancing age, poor health, or obesity.  

Both babies and adults have brown fat pockets in similar areas, typically stored around the neck and shoulders. 

People who have higher amounts of brown fat tend to have healthier body weights, as about 20% of overall energy expenditure—the number of calories your body burns—can be attributed to thermogenesis. 

What Is the Purpose of Brown Fat?

The primary purpose of brown fat is to break down glucose and fat molecules to create heat and maintain body temperature—especially in those non-shivering infants.

But as we grow older, this process of thermogenesis also helps to burn calories, reduce inflammation, and support metabolic health. 

Brown fat’s thermogenic qualities work through a mitochondrial protein called uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), which was originally called thermogenin due to its role in thermogenesis.

UCP1 causes the mitochondria to “uncouple” the respiratory chain from ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production, meaning it will produce heat rather than ATP. 

Brown Fat Vs. White Fat

In simplistic terms, brown fat burns calories in the form of energy, while white fat stores energy from calories. 

But we do need both types in our bodies, as white fat—or white adipose tissue (WAT)—also plays a role in modulating thermogenic processes.

The breakdown of white fat cells—like when you lose weight—is essential for brown fat cells to activate and function properly because they release free fatty acids that brown fat cells use to create heat.

White fat cells also store calories for future use and release adiponectin and leptin, two hormones that regulate blood sugar metabolism, energy balance, and satiety. 

Although it’s clear that brown fat is more beneficial than white fat, this suggests that both colors of fat play a role in maintaining thermogenic regulation.

There is also a third, more recently discovered type of fat, called beige fat. 

Also referred to as “brown-like,” “induced brown fat,” or “brite” adipocytes, this type of fat occurs when white fat cells develop the thermogenic effects of brown fat cells. 

This “browning” of white fat cells is thought to be highly beneficial, as inducing this transformation increases their mitochondrial activity and can target cardiometabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. 

How to Turn White Fat Into Brown Fat Naturally

Even if you don’t have high brown fat stores now, there are fortunately several ways to transform white fat cells into brown, including foods, spices, supplements, exercise, and cold exposure.

What Foods Increase Brown Fat?

Certain foods and spices stimulate molecular and metabolic pathways that trigger the browning of fat cells. 

• Turmeric: The active compound of turmeric called curcumin has anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity effects, which may be due to its ability to increase brown fat development. Curcumin induces thermogenic gene expression and mitochondrial UCP1 gene expression. 
• Green tea: Green tea is rich in the polyphenol EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which has been found to promote adipocyte browning in animals. In humans, green tea consumption is associated with weight loss and healthier metabolic markers. Green tea extract is a main ingredient in these Natural Accelerator capsules.
• Chili peppers: Chili peppers contain capsaicin, a compound that increases energy expenditure and enhances fat oxidation, leading to an increase in beige adipocyte development. 
• Fish oil: Rich in polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil is anti-inflammatory and stimulates mitochondrial and thermogenic activity in beige fat cells.  
• Resveratrol: Although not a food, resveratrol is a compound found primarily in red grapes and wine that may cause fat cell browning by inducing UCP1 activity.  
• Berberine: A compound derived from several herbs like goldenseal, berberine stimulates both brown fat activity and the induction of beige fat. 

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• Description

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Cold Exposure

Acute exposure to cold temperatures can increase brown fat activity or promote the browning of white fat.

This is because of brown fat’s thermogenic effects, as cold temperatures activate the adipose tissue to burn energy—this is how brown fat keeps infants warm.

Upon cold exposure, brown fat produces a specific protein that brings amino acids into the mitochondria, where the amino acids are used to generate heat.

The most common way to use cold therapy is by taking cold showers, with the temperature range most often studied being 64-66 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Although the most benefit is seen with two hours of cold exposure per day, even shorter amounts can be beneficial—like those ten minutes of shower time. 

Exercise

Moderate exercise stimulates the production of irisin, a hormone that boosts metabolism and is secreted by the muscles in response to physical activity. 

Irisin is known to promote thermogenesis and the browning of white fat. 

However, moderate exercise is key—over-exercising can have detrimental effects on brown fat activity, especially in women.

Research on Brown Fat and Health Conditions

Brown Fat and Diabetes

Due to the metabolic activity of brown fat, this type of adipose tissue is thought to benefit people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. 

Brown fat has a higher rate of glucose uptake than other tissues, allowing it to support healthier blood sugar levels.

Research has shown that people with less brown fat are more likely to have insulin resistance—a key determinant of developing type 2 diabetes. 

In a study that exposed healthy adults to cold temperatures, brown fat activity was increased, and glucose uptake was improved by 20%. 

This research indicates that cold exposure could be highly beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.

Brown Fat and Obesity

Brown fat’s energy-burning effects also bode well for obese or overweight people. 

Obesity tends to be rooted in inflammation, and brown adipose tissue is much less susceptible to developing inflammation than white adipose tissue. 

Just as white fat can transform to beige or brown adipose tissue, brown fat can also switch into white fat, a process known as “brown fat whitening” that contributes to obesity. 

Plus, many of the comorbidities associated with obesity—like type 2 diabetes and heart disease—are also related to low-grade, chronic inflammation of white fat. 

Using full-body scans, studies have found that greater quantities of brown fat are present in people with lower body mass indices (BMI), especially in older adults. 

Although we know that brown fat activity increases energy expenditure, the actual amount of calories burned will vary from person to person. 

One review estimated that fully stimulated brown adipose tissue could lead to an additional 100 calories per day of energy expended.

While it doesn’t sound like a ton, it could certainly add up over time to support or maintain a healthier weight. 

FAQs About Brown Fat

Key Takeaways

• Brown adipose tissue is a beneficial type of body fat that burns more calories than typical white fat and supports healthy metabolism and body weight.
• Research has found that people with more brown fat activity are less likely to be obese and have type 2 diabetes or heart disease. 
• Brown fat foods and compounds that boost activity or induce the browning of white fat include turmeric, green tea, chili peppers, fish oil, resveratrol, berberine, and cinnamon.
• Other ways to activate brown fat include cold exposure and moderate exercise.