Restricting your carbohydrate intake can “reap the metabolic effects associated with short-term fasting”, a new study has revealed.
Researchers from the University of Surrey have found that limiting your carb intake is as effective for your health as calorie counting.
In the trial, the scientists assigned the participants to one of three diet plans for one day: a normal carb diet, a low-carb diet with balanced calorie intake, and a low-carb diet with significant calorie restriction.
Participants were aged between 20 and 65 years and they were all classified as obese or overweight.
The study has revealed that metabolic markers were more improved among those in the low-carb diet groups, regardless of calorie reduction.
Participants in the low-carb diet groups also had reduced triglycerides levels compared to those in the other group.
Lead author Dr Adam Collins said: “We found that by simply restricting carbohydrates, without enduring extreme calorie restriction, we can reap the metabolic effects associated with short-term fasting.
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“This suggests that periodically reducing our carbohydrate intake could be a more accessible and sustainable way for people to manage and improve their metabolic health.”
According to the results, people in the low-carb diet groups experienced higher hunger levels but they did not eat more over the next two days, meaning the body can adapt to the reduced carb intake.
“This research offers a promising new perspective on dietary interventions for metabolic health and could have an impact on managing conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity,” said Dr Collins.
The study has been published in the European Journal of Nutrition.
