Low-Carb Diets Linked To A Shorter Lifespan
Cutting carbs you may also be cutting years off their life
By Marilyn Nelson on August 20, 2018
The Atkins, Paleo and Keto diets are all a little different, but they all share one common message – carbs are bad.
A recent study by New Scientist suggests if you cut carbs you may also be cutting years off your life. Diets extremely low or extremely high in carbohydrates could cut your lifespan by about four years. Like mom use to say, moderation is key.
Those who eat a moderate about of carbs actually tend to live longer that those who avoid them all together. Researchers discovered people who consume about 50-55% of their calories from carbohydrates had a longer lifespan – by roughly four years – compared to people following a low-carb diet. Less than 40% of calories from carbohydrates is considered low-carb.
Don’t run out and stock up on croissants just yet. The study also showed people with high-carb diets – more than 70% of calories from carbohydrates – died one year earlier than the moderate group.
If you do ultimately decide to go lower-carb to try to quickly drop a few extra pounds, try to get your protein from plant-based sources. Replacing meat with foods such as nuts, beans and vegetables has been shown to lower your blood pressure, as well as reduce your risk of type-2 diabetes, heart disease and cancers.
