Belly Fat May Have Health Benefits, Study Finds

**Islamabad (Qudrat Daily):** New research suggests that fat stored around the abdomen may play a beneficial role in fighting infections and inflammation.

Visceral fat, the fat surrounding the stomach and internal organs, is often considered harmful due to its association with type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, stroke, and high blood pressure.

However, researchers at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute have highlighted that certain types of fat can also be beneficial.

The study’s lead author, Jiawei Zhong, explained that fat tissue is not merely an energy store—it functions as an active organ, sending signals that affect the entire body. Zhong added that a common misconception is that all belly fat is the same, whereas in reality, it consists of several distinct and separate types with varying roles in health.

The findings may reshape the understanding of abdominal fat, indicating that not all visceral fat is detrimental, and some may support the body’s immune and inflammatory responses.