The debate about whether a diet focused on protein or one in which carbohydrates are emphasized took another turn Monday as researchers said that both diets lead to weight loss but people that consume more carbohydrates are happier.
The new report, which was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, is based on a year-long study of more than 100 people. The participants' weight was measured and they filled out questionnaires about their emotional state four times during the course of the research.
The moods of both groups of dieters improved during the first eight weeks. However, for the rest of the year those in the high carbohydrate group reported decreased feelings of tension, hostility, depression and anxiety.
People following the low carbohydrate diet received 61 percent of consumed calories from fat, 35 percent of consumed calories from protein and 4 percent of consumed calories from carbohydrates. Those on the high carbohydrate diet got 46 per cent of their calories from carbohydrates, 24 per cent of their calories from protein and 30 per cent of their calories from fat.
Females in both groups were allowed to eat about 1400 calories per day. Men in each group were allotted about 1700 calories per day.
The mean weight loss was 13.7 kilograms (about 30 pounds).
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