The study showed that excess fat in the abdominal area can affect not only heart health but also the brain: the more visceral fat, the less gray matter.
What the Study Showed
A large-scale study in the UK established a direct correlation between the volume of visceral fat — fat around internal organs — and the reduction of gray matter volume in the brain. Previously, a decrease in brain volume has been associated with an increased risk of dementia.
Researchers clarify that this specifically refers to visceral fat, not subcutaneous fat deposits. This type of fat also increases the risk of heart disease, strokes, type II diabetes, and hypertension.
Interestingly, there may be a feedback loop: a smaller brain volume could contribute to weight gain, which requires further investigation.
