The Upside Of Being Mischa Barton: A Little Subcutaneous Bottom Fat May Actually Be Good For You

by Nicole

Could it be that a little of what you fancy really does you good? I can't help noticing the connection between two recent health stories in the news: one about the positive effects of chocolate, the other about the health benefits of being bootylicious.

The first report talks about how a little fat on your booty actually may be good for you. A study undertaken by the Harvard Medical School and published in the Cell Metabolism medical journal (catchy title) found that there are good and bad types of fat. And while abdominal visceral fat, which wraps itself around organs, raised the risk of poor health, subcutaneous fat, which is found under the skin particularly around the buttocks, appeared to boost metabolism and help regulate the body's insulin levels, and may protect against type 2 diabetes. (By the looks of recent paparazzi photos, at least that's one thing Mischa Barton won't have to worry about).

This study follows hot on the heels of research conducted by a team from the University of East Anglia in England which found that eating chocolate can reduce health risks in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. The scientists involved in this study are now testing the theory that the flavonoid compounds found in chocolate may provide protection against cardiovascular disease (it should be noted that the chocolate researchers used was especially formulated with raised evels of flavonoids).

Of course, as Mischa Barton can tell you, every square of chocolate a girl eats goes straight to her behind, so we're happy to hear there's an upside to your jeans being a little tight around the rear end (though muffin-top is not a good sign, since that's the wrong kind of fat). I guess next time a woman asks that leading question 'does my bum look big in this?' the correct response may be a resounding, heart-healthy, diabetes aware, 'yes.'

| 05/09/08 | Health