nutrition study
Carbohydrates + fat can extend your life – if you notice one thing
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Which diet is the healthiest in the long term? Carbohydrates and fats are often said to make us fat and shorten our lifespan. A study brings different findings.
Researchers from the USA have examined how the consumption of carbohydrates and fats affects our life expectancy. To do this, they evaluated data from more than 37,000 Americans. The result of study: Neither a low-carbohydrate nor a low-fat diet has been associated with longer life in the long term. According to the study, the crux of the matter lies elsewhere.
Are fats and carbohydrates always unhealthy? A study says no
“It makes no difference whether people choose a low-carbohydrate diet or a low-fat diet,” Harvard University co-author Zhilei Shan told Insider. It depends on the quality of the macronutrients.
The long-term study makes it clear that it is less important how much fat or carbohydrates you eat, but rather which specific foods are on the menu. Because those who consumed a lot of fat or carbohydrates died on average no sooner than someone who consumed less of them. Instead, other factors appear to have a greater impact on life expectancy.
According to the study, these foods can shorten lifespan
Heavily processed foods such as white bread, soft drinks, ready meals or sausage are particularly harmful and, according to the study, can shorten lifespan. Unprocessed plant foods such as vegetables, nuts and whole grains should end up on the plate more often. Because although potatoes or whole grain products made from cereals, for example, are rich in carbohydrates, according to scientists they are part of a balanced diet.
Fats can also have a positive effect on health – especially those made from unsaturated fatty acids. This applies to nuts or almonds, for example, but also to avocados – these foods are rich in healthy fats and can prolong life.
If you want to eat healthily in the long term, you should pay less attention to what percentage of your food consists of carbohydrates, proteins or fats and more to the quality of the food. It is best to fill a large part of your daily menu with fresh and unprocessed foods, while industrially processed and artificially preserved foods should end up less often. If you follow this principle, you can do more for your health – and your life expectancy – than by cutting out entire food groups.
Sources used: insider.com, jamanetwork.com