A long-term study led by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has found that reducing visceral abdominal fat may significantly slow brain aging in late midlife. Using repeated magnetic resonance imaging scans over up to 16 years, researchers discovered that people who maintained lower levels of deep belly fat showed less brain shrinkage and better cognitive performance, regardless of overall weight loss.

The findings indicate that visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs, plays a specific role in brain health. Participants with sustained reductions in this type of fat preserved total brain volume, gray matter, and key memory-related structures, while also experiencing slower enlargement of brain cavities linked to aging. These benefits were not seen with subcutaneous fat or general body weight, highlighting the unique impact of fat stored deep in the abdomen.

Researchers found that improved glucose control and insulin sensitivity appear to mediate the link between visceral fat and brain aging. Importantly, even modest but consistent reductions in abdominal fat during dietary interventions predicted better brain health five to ten years later.

The study suggests that targeting visceral fat through diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep may be a practical strategy to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, offering a measurable and modifiable pathway to protect brain health in midlife and beyond.