Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and hepatic triglyceride content (HTGC) are crucial risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases.

A study was recently conducted to assess the association of dietary intake of the main food groups with VAT and HTGC in middle-aged men and women. Data from the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study was used. This was a population-based study with 6671 participants 45-65 years of age at baseline. In the current cross-sectional analysis, the primary outcomes were VAT and HTGC. Investigators monitored habitual intake of main food groups (dairy, meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, sweet snacks, and fats and oils) and determined the associations between intake of different food groups and VAT and HTGC.

Among women, a 100 g/d higher intake of dairy was associated with 2.0 cm² less VAT and a 0.95-fold lower HTGC. A 100 g/d higher intake of fruits and vegetables was tied to 1.6 cm² less VAT in women. Fruit and vegetable intake had a negative correlation with HTGC, while sweet snacks were positively associated. Although the patterns were weaker, but they were similar among men. Fish intake had no link with VAT or HTGC and plant-based fat and oil intake were associated with VAT after adjustment for total body fat.

Therefore, dietary intake of sweet snacks was positively associated with HTGC, and fruits and vegetables were negatively associated with visceral and liver fat content.

Source: van Eekelen E, Geelen A, Alssema M, et al. Sweet Snacks Are Positively and Fruits and Vegetables Are Negatively Associated with Visceral or Liver Fat Content in Middle-Aged Men and Women. The Journal of Nutrition 2019;149(2):304-13.