Low Carbohydrate Diet Slightly Better Than Low Fat Diet
A low calorie diet is largely a low carbohydrate or a low fat diet. While both the diet plans could promote weight loss and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, researchers have found that a low carbohydrate diet is more beneficial than a low fat diet.
The findings published in the latest issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, has shown that after staying on a low carbohydrate diet for two years, dieters had a higher level of HDL or good cholesterol in their blood. They also had lower blood pressure level. However, people on low fat diet did not enjoy these advantages.
However, researchers did not recommend any strict dieting plan. They suggest that dieters could either have a low carbohydrate or a low fat diet depending on their ability to adhere to the low calorie diet plan for a prolonged period. Instead of cutting down your carbohydrate or fat intake suddenly, you should gradually reduce your carb and fat consumption. Along with dieting, regular moderate exercise, largely brisk walking is beneficial for the health.
Other than the advantages of low carbohydrate and low fat diets, certain uncomfortable side effects are associated with these diets. Researchers found that 39% low carbohydrate eaters developed constipation, whereas constipation occurs in 17% low fat eaters. Low carbohydrate eaters complained of hair loss and bad breath.