IMHO this article is complete *****.
It is written by someone who is a carb novice, and who happens to have a friend with prediabetes. He could not be bothered to enlist bona fide diabetics There is a load of suspect pseudo science in the article, and at least one of the academic institutions (Glasgow) is strongly supporting the vegetarian diets. At least one of the professors is an advocate for Newcastle Diet.
There was no consideration that a banana changes fructose sugars into sucrose as it ripens.
Some pseudo science that confirms a novice;
£The rationale is that, because carbohydrate in food is broken down into single sugar molecules during digestion, both food and ‘neat’ sugar have the same effect on blood sugar levels".
The single sugar molecules are glucose and sugar itself is also metabolized into glucose Sugar is a simple carbohydrate but still a carb. Our body does not discriminate at the bgl level and grabs what we feed it..
It is probably true that most people on a low carb diet give up: most do it for purely weight loss purposes and stop just like any other diet plan for many varied reasons. These people do not measure their BGL so remain blissfully unaware of any other significant effects that can be at play. I am minded of Dr Moseley doing a TV program where he took a mix of normal and diabetic people and fed them things like a bagel, or a banana, and demonstrated on camera that their sugar levels spiked - even those who were non diabetic
"So does sugar become a poison to type 2 diabetics? ‘That’s not supported by the evidence,’ answers Prof Kar." Suggest an invite to read this forum.
"Professor Partha Kar, NHS England’s chief diabetes expert, argues that the only scientifically proven way to get type 2 diabetes under control, with diet, is to shed excess pounds: ‘The evidence, as far as trials go, sits with low calorie diets,’ he said." You are out of date here. There have been recent RCT studies and meta studies that do not support this POV.
"While agreeing it is true, diabetes control before drugs did rely on avoiding carbs, Prof Frost makes the point that: ‘Patients’ quality of life was horrendous. They suffered ill health, and died rapidly.’ By far the biggest cause of death in diabetics, today, is heart disease, he adds: ‘To avoid heart disease, being a healthy weight and having a diet that’s lower in saturated fat is best, not low-carb but high fat.’"
Almost making sense at least when acknowledging the Banting Diet. But the rest of it neglects that T2D growth since 1950 swamps T1D and Banting would not stop T1D progressing in the days before insulin. Small wonder they suffered in those days. It was the only treatment in town, the only new kid on the block. The only tool in the medicine chest,
The article rubbishes Low Carb, but does include this quote from his prediabetic friend giving her personal experience
"Diabetes runs in her family, and Michelle, not wanting to follow the same fate, embarked on a strict low-carb diet.In six months, she lost half a stone – and her blood sugar is now almost within the normal range."
But its not science is it?
Edited by Mod