Eine nachhaltige Reduzierung des Bauchfetts erhält die kognitive Funktion. Untersuchungen ergaben, dass selbst bei einem moderaten Gewichtsverlust eine anhaltende Reduzierung des viszeralen Fetts – gemessen über den gesamten Zeitraum – mit der Erhaltung der Gehirnstruktur und einer langsameren Atrophierate verbunden ist.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1126714
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A groundbreaking long-term MRI study demonstrates that lower accumulation of abdominal fat (visceral fat), measured throughout the entire follow-up period, is associated with a significant slowing of brain atrophy, preservation of key brain structures, and better cognitive performance in late midlife – independent of weight loss. The findings suggest that the relationship between abdominal fat and brain aging is likely mediated primarily through glucose control and insulin sensitivity. The study is the first to link repeated MRI-based measurements of cumulative visceral fat with long-term trajectories of brain aging and cognition.
The study’s findings were published in Nature Communications (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-71141-4).
The study is based on advanced MRI imaging of the brain and abdomen and includes 533 women and men in late midlife who were followed for 5 to 16 years after participating in four large, long-term, controlled dietary clinical trials: DIRECT, CASCADE, CENTRAL, and DIRECT-PLUS, led by Prof. Iris Shai of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Dean of the School of Sustainability at Reichman University, and an adjunct Professor at Harvard University. During follow-up, repeated MRI measurements of visceral fat and brain structures were conducted, along with cognitive assessment using the MoCA test.
The findings show that lower accumulation of visceral fat over the years was associated with higher MoCA scores, as well as preservation of total brain volume, gray matter volume, and the Hippocampal Occupancy Score – a sensitive marker of brain aging and memory. In parallel, a slowing in the expansion of the brain ventricles was observed, a process that constitutes a well-established marker of brain atrophy.
Prof. Iris Shai: “The findings point to glucose control and reduction of visceral abdominal fat as measurable, modifiable, and achievable targets in midlife – with real potential to slow brain degeneration and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.”
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-71141-4
I wish visceral fat percentage was something your doctor could provide on your annual check up. Not a single one of my friends or family members has any idea what their visceral fat percentage is.
Probably just because of reduced insulin resistance when dieting.
This is key part. It’s visceral fat loss, not subcutaneous that moves the dial in terms of insulin resistance and systemic inflammation. Visceral fat acts similar to an organ in producing cytokines – far more than subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat also dumps these cytokines into the liver and then portal vein, whereas subcutaneous fat releases it’s lighter load into distributed general circulation. Tldr: visceral fat is bad stuff.
This long-term, large-scale intervention and follow-up MRI study suggests that sustained visceral fat loss, rather than weight loss, is linked to better cognition and attenuation of brain atrophy years later, mainly via improved glycemic control.