Both of a low-carb diet and a high-carb diet raises the risk of an early death, according to a major new study which will panic the many people who have ditched the likes of rice, bread and potatoes for weight loss or health reasons.
Researchers came to a conclusion after the results of eight large studies that eating a moderate amount of carbohydrates is best for a healthy lifespan. Less than 40% or more than 70% of calories from carbohydrates carried a higher risk of mortality.
All low-carb diets are not equal. The folk who ate a lot of meat and fats in lieu of carbohydrates, such as lamb, chicken, steak, butter and cheese, had a higher death risk than those who got their protein and fats by eating plant-based foods such as avocados, legumes and nuts. Popular weight loss diets such as Atkins and Dukan include a substantial amount of meat-based foods.
Dr Sara Seidelmann, a clinical and research fellow in cardiovascular medicine from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston said “Low-carb diets that replace carbohydrates with protein or fat are gaining widespread popularity as a health and weight loss strategy.” She led the research published in the Lancet public health journal.
“However, our data suggests that animal-based low-carbohydrate diets, which are prevalent in North America and Europe, might be associated with shorter overall life span and should be discouraged. Instead, if one chooses to follow a low-carbohydrate diet, then exchanging carbohydrates for more plant-based fats and proteins might actually promote healthy ageing in the long term.”
> Shiuly Rina
