Researchers have shown that it’s not just the amount of fat in the body that matters, but also where it’s stored. Using advanced MRI and data from nearly 26,000 people, they identified two fat patterns that are associated with accelerated brain aging, cognitive decline, and a higher risk of neurological diseases.

The first pattern shows a high accumulation of fat in the pancreas even without a high fat content in the liver. This has been linked to rapid brain health decline.

The second pattern is often called “skinny fat,” where a person doesn’t look overweight but has a high percentage of fat relative to muscle. This has also been linked to a higher risk of brain damage and neurological diseases.

The study suggests that the distribution of body fat can have a profound impact on brain health and sheds new light on the relationship between diet, body, and mind.