Under matched caloric restriction, a low-carbohydrate diet results in greater reduction of visceral fat compared to a high-carbohydrate diet.

Study: Effect of low-carbohydrate vs low-fat diet intervention on visceral fat estimated from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in a 12-month randomized controlled trial.

When people eat the same number of calories, those on a low-carb diet lost more of the dangerous belly fat than those on a low-fat diet, according to this big study.

Study: MRI estimated changes in visceral adipose tissue and liver fat fraction in patients with obesity during a very low-calorie-ketogenic diet compared to a standard low-calorie diet.

This study found that people on a very low-carb, low-calorie diet lost more belly fat than those on a regular low-calorie diet — but they also ate fewer calories overall. So we can't say for sure if low-carb is better when both diets have the same calories.

Study: Association of decrease in carbohydrate intake with reduction in abdominal fat during 3-month moderate low-carbohydrate diet among non-obese Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

When people ate fewer carbs but kept the same number of calories, their belly fat went down — especially in men. This suggests that cutting carbs, not just eating less, helps reduce dangerous belly fat.

Study: Beneficial effect of low carbohydrate in low calorie diets on visceral fat reduction in type 2 diabetic patients with obesity.

When people eat the same number of calories, those who eat fewer carbs lose more fat around their organs than those who eat more carbs. This study showed that clearly in people with diabetes and obesity.