Benefits of Low Carb Diet – Studies Are Finding Many Positive Advantages
What are the benefits of a low carb diet? Studies are showing that low carb diets are not just for weight loss, although they definitely have proven themselves worthy for that, but there are a few other benefits as well. With continuing studies and awareness, it seems as though many people with health issues may be turning towards this type of diet in the future.
Treating Diabetes
Many times a low fat diet is recommended for treating diabetes; however, there seems to be a failure with the diet when it comes to improving diabetes. A low carb diet, on the hand, is proving to be much more effective.
“A panel of 24 respected medical experts say a low-carb diet should be the first line of defense for treating diabetes.” – Celebrity Health & Fitness
One study done with 16 obese patients followed them on a calorie-restricted and a carbohydrate-restricted diet for 22 months, and the majority of participants had improvements in their blood sugar. Moreover, the daily dosage of insulin, on average, was cut in half. While studies like these are showing that a low carb diet can help diabetes, the message is still not being received by many people living with diabetes.
Lowers Cardiovascular Risks
In one study, compared to a low-fat diet, researchers discovered that a low carb diet was more effective in not only reducing weight, but also reducing the risk fact for cardiovascular disease.
“The low-carbohydrate diet was more effective for weight loss and cardiovascular risk factor reduction that the low-fat diet.”- Annals of Internal Medicine
The reason is that low carb diets help to increase the amount of good cholesterol in the body and decrease the amount of fat in the bloodstream. Many studies have shown this; however, it is important to note that this is in conjunction with health fats as well as the majority of carbohydrates coming from vegetables, nuts, legumes, fruits, and whole grains.
Weight Loss
Of course, since the craze of the Atkins diet, it is has been well-known that a low carb diet is good for weight loss. Replacing foods that are high in sugars and starches with foods that are high in protein and good fat, have a tremendous effect on the overall performance of the body according to numerous studies and real-life results.
Low carb diets reduce your appetite by helping you to feel fuller. This is because fat and protein help you to feel fuller for a longer time than carbohydrates to. In the long run, this means less calories in and more weight loss seen.
Moreover, low carb diets help to rid excess water from the body, which results in quicker weight loss results – even if it is water weight.
Lastly, low carb diets are effective at lowering abdominal fat, which not only results in weight loss, but reduces health risks associated with a large abdomen, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
“The ratio of trunk fat/total fat in women was reduced more on the low carb diet as opposed to the low fat diet.” – Nutrition and Metabolism
In the end, if a low carb diet is so effective for weight loss, and has heart and diabetes health benefits, then why is everyone not on the diet? Because, it is very hard to stick to. Many people are used to eating a high carbohydrate diet, and they feel deprived if they cut out those carbs that they believe are so comforting to them.