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A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has shed light on the intricate relationship between low-carbohydrate diets and weight management. Contrary to popular belief, the study suggests that the composition of these diets, particularly the sources of proteins and fats, significantly influences long-term weight gain.
The research, published in JAMA Network Open and led by Binkai Liu, a research assistant in the Department of Nutrition, examined the dietary habits and weights of 123,332 healthy adults spanning from 1986 to 2018.
The study distinguished between two categories of low-carbohydrate diets: one primarily sourced from animal-based proteins and fats or refined carbohydrates, and the other predominantly comprising plant-based proteins and fats with healthy carbohydrates like whole grains.
Surprisingly, diets centered around plant-based proteins and fats, coupled with healthy carbohydrates, demonstrated a noteworthy association with slower long-term weight gain. Conversely, low-carb diets high in animal-based proteins and fats or refined carbohydrates were linked to accelerated long-term weight gain.
Binkai Liu emphasized the nuanced nature of their findings, stating, “Our study dissects the low-carbohydrate diet and provides a nuanced look at how the composition of these diets can affect health over years.”
Participants who adhered to a healthy low-carbohydrate diet (HLCD) featuring plant-based proteins, healthy fats, and reduced refined carbohydrates experienced less weight gain compared to those on overall low-carbohydrate diets.
However, the study’s evaluation of vegetable-based low-carbohydrate diets yielded more ambiguous results. While some data indicated a correlation between higher vegetable-based low-carbohydrate diet scores and less weight gain over time, other findings were less conclusive.
Qi Sun, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition, highlighted the study’s pivotal revelation: “Not all low-carbohydrate diets are created equal when it comes to managing weight in the long-term.” Sun emphasized the importance of promoting dietary patterns that prioritize healthful foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products in public health initiatives.
This study challenges conventional assumptions about low-carbohydrate diets, emphasizing the critical role of the diet’s composition in influencing long-term weight management, potentially reshaping dietary guidelines and recommendations for a healthier future.
