Relationships between specific dietary factors and aspects of glucose tolerance were examined using data from the Zutphen Study. In 1970, an oral glucose tolerance test was carried out in 394 non-diabetic men aged 50-70. Habitual dietary intake was assessed using the cross-check dietary history method. In univariate analyses, positive associations were observed between fasting glucose and the intake of saturated fat (correlation coefficient (r) = 0.13, p less than 0.01) and dietary cholesterol (r = 0.16, p less than 0.01), and also reflected by an association with egg consumption. These results were confirmed in multivariate analyses, taking into account total energy intake, subscapular skinfold thickness and age. In univariate analyses, significant inverse associations were found between the incremental area under the curve (IAUC) and the intake of mono- and disaccharides (r = -0.22, p less than 0.001) and pectin (r = -0.15, p less than 0.01), as well as the consumption of sugar products. Similar results were obtained in multivariate analyses. The change in saturated fat intake in the period 1960-1970 was positively associated with IAUC, independent of concurrent intake in 1970, age, subscapular skinfold and change in energy intake. In a similar model the change in pectin intake was inversely associated with IAUC. These findings suggest that the intake of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol may be detrimental to glucose tolerance, in contrast to the intake of pectin and mono- and disaccharides.