Introduction
Weight-loss diets are often seen as a quick and easy way to shed pounds, but a new study suggests that these diets may not be as healthy as you think. The study, which was conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, found that people who followed a weight-loss diet for six months had higher levels of inflammation and lower levels of beneficial bacteria in their gut than those who did not follow a diet. The findings suggest that weight-loss diets may not be as beneficial as previously thought and could even be detrimental to your health. This article will discuss the findings of the study and the potential implications for those looking to lose weight.
Weight-Loss Diets May Not Be Healthy as You Think, Study Says
A new study has found that popular weight-loss diets may not be as healthy as you think. The study, published in the journal Nutrition Reviews, looked at the effects of various diets on health outcomes. The researchers found that while some diets may lead to short-term weight loss, they may not be beneficial in the long run.
The study looked at the effects of low-carbohydrate, low-fat, and Mediterranean diets on health outcomes. The researchers found that while all three diets led to short-term weight loss, the low-carbohydrate diet was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The low-fat diet was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, while the Mediterranean diet was associated with a decreased risk of both cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
The researchers concluded that while some diets may be effective for short-term weight loss, they may not be beneficial in the long run. They noted that more research is needed to determine which diets are most beneficial for long-term health.
The findings of this study suggest that people should be cautious when choosing a weight-loss diet. While some diets may lead to short-term weight loss, they may not be beneficial in the long run. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet to ensure that it is safe and effective.
You’re surely aware of how important it is to eat well if you want to keep your body in good shape. However, a new study has found that many people think that their weight-loss diet is much healthier than it really is.
“We found that while people generally know that fruits and vegetables are healthy, there may be a disconnect between what researchers and health care professionals consider to be a healthy and balanced diet compared to what the public thinks is a healthy and balanced diet,” said study author Jessica Cheng, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research fellow in epidemiology at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and in general internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, according to EurekAlert!
The study that was presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2022 event took a look at 116 adults from the greater Pittsburgh area, area who were between the ages of 35–58 years old. Those involved all wanted to lose weight and checked in with a dietitian before using a Fitbit app to note what their diet included for an entire year while also keeping track of both their physical activity and weight.
On top of that, they gave themselves scores between one and 100 to rate how healthy they believed their diets were. The researchers also scored the diets based on a Healthy Eating Index (HEI), which used the U.S. government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans as a reference.
Results showed that 75% of the participants were incorrectly scoring their diets with the majority believing their diets were healthier than what was deemed as actually healthy by the researchers. Specifically, the participants gave themselves an average score of 67.6 out of 100 compared to 56.4 which was the average score when using the determined HEI. After the year-long period, participants generally believed that they had improved their diets by 18 points while it was only around one point, per the HEI.
“I’m not surprised with the results,” Lisa Young, Ph.D., RDN, the author of Finally Full, Finally Slim, a nutritionist in private practice and a member of the Eat This, Not That! medical expert board, says. “There is a lot of confusion about what exactly constitutes a healthy diet.”
“For example,” Young continues, “while people know that they should eat more vegetables, many people don’t pay attention to the fact that a large salad with toppings, such as croutons, honey-roasted nuts, and dressing can lead to weight gain. “
“This is a problem because if you think a food is healthy, you pay less attention to how much you eat which can ultimately yield weight gain,” Young explains. That’s why, if your aim is to shed a few pounds, Young says that “it’s so important to pay attention to how much food you are eating.”
“It’s important that health professionals discuss these nuances of healthy eating with patients,” Young also points out.
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