Long-Term Exercise Alters Belly Fat to Be Healthier, Study Finds

Regular exercise for years can improve fat storage in the body, reducing harmful visceral fat and enhancing metabolic health.

A new study from the University of Michigan indicates that long-term exercisers have healthier belly fat tissue compared to nonexercisers.
Participants who exercised regularly for at least two years showed better fat storage capacity in subcutaneous tissue, reducing the need to store fat in more harmful areas like around organs.
Exercisers had fat tissue with more blood vessels, mitochondria, and beneficial proteins, and less collagen that interferes with metabolism and inflammation.
The study highlights that regular exercise can modify fat tissue structure and function, potentially lowering the risk of conditions like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
While the study was small and calls for further research, it adds to existing evidence that exercise can provide significant health benefits beyond weight loss.