Disclosed is an agent for accelerating the increase in and/or preventing the decrease in the blood adiponectin level, or a food, beverage or animal feed for accelerating the increase in and/or preventing the decrease in the blood adiponectin level, which comprises a culture or cell of a lactic acid bacterium belonging to the genus Lactobacillus, particularly Lactobacillus gasseri or Lactobacillus helveticus as an active ingredient. Also disclosed is a visceral fat accumulation inhibitor or a food or beverage for inhibiting the accumulation of a visceral fat, which comprises a culture or cell of Lactobacillus helveticus as an active ingredient.
