A particularly popular fruit, often found in salads and sandwiches, appears to aid in redistributing abdominal fat, according to new research.

According to a recent study from the University of Illinois, eating one avocado a day may promote a healthier distribution of belly fat in women.

The study involved 105 overweight or obese adults who consumed one avocado daily as part of a main meal for 12 weeks. Women in the study experienced a reduction in visceral fat—the dangerous fat surrounding the abdominal organs.

The study, led by Professor Naiman Khan of Kinesiology and Community Health at the University of Illinois, was published in the Journal of Nutrition.

Importantly, the goal of the study was not weight loss, but to examine how avocado affects fat storage and distribution. Abdominal fat is comprised of two types: subcutaneous fat, found beneath the skin and considered less harmful, and visceral fat, which surrounds vital organs and is associated with higher risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Participants were divided into two groups, with the only dietary difference being the daily consumption of one fresh avocado by one group.

At the start and end of the 12-week period, researchers measured abdominal fat and glucose tolerance, a key diabetes marker.

Women who consumed avocados saw a decrease in visceral fat and in the ratio of visceral to subcutaneous fat. However, no such benefits were observed in men, and neither group showed changes in glucose tolerance.

Researchers now aim to conduct further studies to better understand how avocado consumption affects fat distribution and why these effects differ between men and women.