Low carbohydrate diets may help aid weight loss, but they won’t make you feel happy about it.
A study published in the Achieves of Internal Medicine looked at the long-term effects of low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets on mood and cognitive function. 106 overweight and obese patients were randomly separated into groups that either followed a very low-carb, high-fat diet, or a high-carb, low-fat diet for 1 year. The participants were monitored for weight changes, mood, and cognitive function.
After 1 year, both groups had lost approximately the same amount of weight. Though, the people on the low-carb diet had greater instances of mood disturbance, anger, hostility, confusion, and depression.
Further research is needed to determine the origin of the mood changes with low-carb diets.
The best bet for long-term, permanent weight loss is to change your lifestyle and eat a balanced diet and exercise. Check out the American Dietetic Association for healthy tips and advice about healthy weight loss that you can be happy about.
Comments
I think anyone on a strict diet is bound to have mood swings. No one likes feeling like they can't have something.
I would be interested to know if the people on the low carb diet were eating complex carbs or refined sugars.
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