Health & Wellness

Low-Carb Diets May Have Downsides 

By Wendy Haaf

Cutting carbohydrate foods from your diet could backfire if your goal is to reduce your risk for diabetes, heart disease, or stroke, US researchers warn.

In a study, investigators analyzed health and dietary data from 19,078 people who had participated in a US national health and nutrition survey. Among people for whom carbohydrates accounted for less than 45% of total calorie intake, the rates of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke were 15% higher than among those who ate the recommended balance of carbs (45 to 65% of calories), fat (20 to 35%), and protein (10 to 35%).

Those with low-carb, high-fat diets saw an even greater increase in risk: 40%.

Source: Current Developments in Nutrition