New research has strengthened the claims that a diet low in carbohydrates has health benefits for people with type 2 diabetes.
The study looked into how diet affected weight gain, with the researchers looking at how the amount of carbs and protein consumed can be changed to stop weight gain. Their findings were published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and promoted the health benefits of a low-carb diet.
Three studies, assessing more than 120,000 adults over long periods of time, were analysed by the researchers. Their findings indicated that a high consumption of sugar, starch and grains made it more likely that a person would gain weight, and they would also raise blood glucose levels higher than other foods.
It was also found that increasing the levels of dairy products, such as whole milk and full-fat cheese, did not cause weight-gain over time, quashing the perception that fat consumption is the main cause of obesity.
The researchers actually observed a tendency to avoid dairy products, which were high in fat, and replace them with low-quality carbs, leading to an increased risk of weight gain.
“The fat content of dairy products did not seem important for weight gain,” said the first author of the study, Jessica Smith. “In fact, when people consumed more low-fat dairy products, they actually increased their consumption of carbohydrates, which may promote weight gain.
“This suggests that people compensate, over years, for the lower calories in low-fat dairy by increasing their carb intake,” she continued.
In order to follow a healthy lifestyle, it is important to incorporate fresh fruit and vegetables into your diet, reduce your consumption of processed food and sugar, and take part in regular exercise. This can help to prevent obesity, which is one of the main risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes.