Low-carb diet may prove more effective for men than women on weight loss journey, claims a study.
Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine revealed that men may lose more weight on low-carb diets, women on the other hand see better improvements in artery flexibility.
Scientists believe that the findings may help pre-diabetic women reduce their risk for heart disease through a low-carb diet.
Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar is high, but not high enough to be type 2 diabetes. If ample precautions are not taken, the condition may trigger the onset of diabetes.
It has been shown, that as women age their blood vessels stiffen more rapidly than men. This in turn puts them at increased risk of heart disease. The findings of the study showed that eating low carb-diet helped women to have flexible and lesser-stiff arteries, which happened to reduce their risk of developing serious heart conditions. The study was published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.
For the study, 20 middle-aged, pre-diabetic men and women were given carb-restricted meals provided by the MU Nutrition Center for Health for two weeks. They were also given meal planning instructions for an additional two weeks. It was observed that after a four-week period, the men in the study lost 6.3 percent of their body weight, while women lost 4.4 percent. Women on the other hand, showed reduced blood flow speeds of 1 meter per second, while men showed no changes in blood flow speed.
Here are some low carb veggies you can add to your diet.
1. Spinach: Alongside being low on carbs, spinach is also a great source of folate, dietary fibre, vitamins A, B, C, E and K. Fibre delays digestion, which ensures that the sugar is not metabolised quickly and cause a surge in blood sugar levels.
2. Broccoli: Broccoli has a GI of 15, which is very low. It is an exceptional source of fibre too. Hundred grams of broccoli contains only 7 grams of carbohydrates.
3. Cauliflower : A 100 grams of cauliflower has just 5 grams of carbohydrates. The superfood is also loaded with, protein, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium and manganese. The GI of cauliflower is calculated to be between 5 to 15, which is ideal for people with diabetes.
4. Bell peppers: Available in vibrant colours such as yellow, red and green, bell peppers make for a delicious and nutritious vegetable. One cup (149 grams) of chopped red pepper contains 9 grams of carbs, 3 of which are fiber.
Include these veggies in your low-carb diet, You can toss them up in salads, steam them or have them as part of hearty stews and broths.