Among all the three macronutrients- protein, carbs and fat, the last two do not really enjoy a good reputation when it comes to weight loss. As soon as you tell someone that you are trying to shed kilos, the first piece of advice that you will get is cut down your fat and carb intake. Both carbs and fat are linked with weight gain but are also an essential part of our diet. So, cutting them all together is certainly not a very good option. Low-carb and low-fat are two common diet trends that promise fast and effective weight loss. But the common dilemma is which one is better. To get an answer to this common question, researchers recently conducted a study, which, believe it or not made the matter even more complicated rather than simplifying it. Low-carb vs low-fat To know the difference and effectiveness of the two popular diet trends, the researchers tracked approximately 600 adults who were either following a low-fat or low-carb diet for a year. They tried to know the factors possibly responsible for their weight loss. But they were absolutely surprised to know that there was hardly any difference between the two. Both the diet trends prompted similar weight loss results. However, they were not clearly able to point out the way some people were able to lose more weight than the other no matter which diet trend they followed. In the study, carried out by the researchers of the Stanford University School of Medicine in California, the participants were between the ages of 18 and 50. Of which, 6 in 10 volunteers were women.The participants were asked just to restrict their fat and carbs intake and avoid calculating the calories. But they were not allowed to have unhealthy food items. They were encouraged to have home-cooked meals, do mindful snacking and avoid refined foods. The end result In the end, it was found that the experiment was beneficial for some, while for others it was not that effective. Some people lost 25 kilos, while others gained 10 kilos. The researchers concluded that weight loss not only depends on the kind of diet you are following but also on other factors like your genes. On an average, it was found that both groups of people lost approximately 6 kilos of weight in a year. It is clear from the study that both a low-fat and low-carb diet help you shed an equal amount of weight. No matter which diet plan you are following, eat healthily and exercise.
Excerpt from:
Low-Carb diet vs. Low-Fat diet: Which is best for weight loss? - Times of India
