If a low-carb diet is carefully thought out and integrated into a balanced lifestyle, it can provide a number of health advantages. Below is a summary of the benefits related to energy levels, blood sugar control, and weight loss.
Weight loss
Low-carb diets have a major effect on weight loss, mostly because they naturally lower consumption of calories by decreasing appetite1. Insulin levels are dropped when carbs are consumed less, and the body starts burning fat reserves for energy. According to the Mayo Clinic, low-carb diets may result in more weight loss in the short term than low-fat diets, but the long-term advantages might not be as large.
Energy Levels
Because low-carb diets balance blood sugar levels, they can help stabilise energy levels. Many people report feeling more energised after initially switching to a low-carb diet, as their bodies adjust to burning fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates.
Blood Sugar Management
The capacity of low-carb diets to reduce and stabilise blood sugar levels is a major advantage. Low-carbohydrate diets help control and even reverse type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and reducing the demand for the body to manufacture insulin.
Heart Health
Interestingly, a well-designed low-carb diet may be heart-healthy, according to research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and cited by Harvard Health. This is because it may lower triglycerides, the blood's primary fat-carrying particle, and increase heart-protective HDL cholesterol.
Nutrient Intake
To guarantee that you are getting enough vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients while following a low-carb diet, it is important to eat a range of nutrient-rich foods. A balanced low-carb diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can improve general health and wellbeing.
References
References:
- Healthline. (n.d.). 10 Health Benefits of Low-Carb and Ketogenic Diets. healthline.com
- Harvard Health. (2021). Could a low-carb diet help your heart? health.harvard.edu
- Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Low-carb diet: Can it help you lose weight? mayoclinic.org
- Diet Doctor. (n.d.). Low-carb benefits and how to maximize them. dietdoctor.com
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (n.d.). Low-Carbohydrate Diets. hsph.harvard.edu
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