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Ask Dr. Gourmet
Does muscle really weigh more than fat?
People say that muscle weighs more than fat. Is that true?
Dr. Gourmet Says...
Muscle density is 1.06 grams per milliliter (g/mL) and fat is 0.9 g/mL. That means that muscle is about 18% denser than fat.
Think of it this way: say you have a piece of fat that weighs 1.99 pounds. A piece of muscle of the same size (volume) will weigh 2.4 pounds.
This could easily mean that when you lose fat and build muscle mass, you might not lose much weight overall, but you will lose inches and be healthier. Visit our Exercise section to find out more about exercise, from how-to videos to routines for beginners to advanced exercisers.
Thanks for writing,
Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP, CCMS
Dr. Gourmet