Mixed
High-quality carbohydrate diets (emphasizing whole grains, pulses, fruit, low glycemic index/load, and high viscous fiber) decrease intermediate cardiometabolic risk factors and are associated with reduced incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality, whereas low-carbohydrate diets show no long-term superiority for weight loss or sustained glycemic control.
Focus on the quality of carbohydrates rather than restricting their quantity. Prioritize whole grains (especially oats and barley), pulses, fruit, and high-fiber foods. Limit sugar-sweetened beverages. This approach is associated with better long-term weight management and reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease compared to low-carbohydrate diets.
High-carbohydrate diets that emphasize foods containing important nutrients and substances, including high-quality carbohydrate such as whole grains (especially oats and barley), pulses, or fruit; low glycemic index and load; or high fiber (especially viscous fiber sources) decrease intermediate cardiometabolic risk factors in randomized trials and are associated with weight loss and decreased incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular mortality in prospective cohort studies.
Why this rating
Supported by systematic reviews, network meta-analyses, and large prospective cohort studies.
Source
Low-carbohydrate diets and cardiometabolic health: the importance of carbohydrate quality over quantity
John L. Sievenpiper · Nutrition Reviews · 2019
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