A new Harvard study published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal recommends that to lose weight, low-carb and Mediterranean diets are better than low-fat diet.
"Behind current dietary advice to cut out the fat, which contains more than twice calories per gram of carbohydrates and protein, the thinking is that simply reducing fat intake will naturally lead to weight loss. But our robust evidence clearly suggests otherwise," said lead author of the new study Dr. Deirdre Tobias of Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard medical school.
The study that debunks theories suggesting that low-fat approach are better than low-carb plans, according to The Guardian, took into consideration 53 long-term studies that involve over 68,000 people. The study, accordingly, found out that after a year, those who followed a low-fat diet are two and a half pounds heavier than those who used the low-carb approach. On the long term , however, it is not clear which of the two diets is better.
"Despite the pervasive dogma that one needs to cut fat from their diet in order to lose weight, the existing scientific evidence does not support low-fat diets over other dietary interventions for long-term weight loss," Dr. Tobias said further about the new study.
"In fact, we did not find evidence that is particularly supportive of any specific proportion of calories from fat for meaningful long-term weight loss," he added.
Dr. Tobias, however, pointed out that for a meaningful weight loss, one must "look beyond the ratios of calories from fat, carbs and protein to a discussion of healthy eating patterns, whole foods, and portion sizes."
"Finding new ways to improve diet adherence for the long-term and preventing weight gain in the first place are important strategies for maintaining a healthy weight," he said.
This view saying that perspective about weight loss should do beyond a choice between just low-fat or low-carbs diet is supported by Professor Frank Hu of the Nutrition and Epidemiology in Harvard, who said, "Current evidence indicates that clinically meaningful weight loss can be achieved with a variety of dietary approaches. The key is to improve long-term compliance and cardiometabolic health."
