Second-hand smoke may cause weight gain

FM Team | 15/11/2014

Vegan diet best for weight loss, study finds

People shed more weight on an entirely plant-based diet, even if carbohydrates are also included, says a study by the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina, in the US. Other benefits of eating a vegan diet include decreased levels of saturated and unsaturated fat, lower BMIs, and improved macro nutrients, the study says.

The research results published in The International Journal of Applied and Basic Nutritional Sciences, compared the amount of weight lost by those on vegan diets to those on a mostly plant-based diet, and those eating an omnivorous diet with a mix of animal products and plant-based foods. At the end of six months, individuals on the vegan diet lost more weight than the other two groups by an average of 4.3%, or 16.5 pounds.

The lead author on this study, Gabrielle Turner-McGrievy notes that the diet consumed by vegan participants was high in carbohydrates that rate low on the glycemic index. "We've gotten somewhat carb-phobic here in the U.S. when it comes to weight loss. This study might help alleviate the fears of people who enjoy pasta, rice, and other grains but want to lose weight," she said. Eschewing all animal products appears to be key for these positive results

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