Macro partitioning
Adherence to a Prudent diet (low saturated fat, high fiber/fruit/veg) for 2 weeks significantly reduces percent body fat and lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to a Western diet in healthy adults.
To see measurable improvements in blood pressure and body fat within two weeks, switch to a diet low in saturated fat (<7% of calories) and high in fiber and produce (6+ cups of fruits/vegetables daily). Ensure you are eating enough to maintain your current weight, as the study showed these benefits occurred even without caloric restriction.
Percent body fat was unchanged after 2 weeks on the Western Diet, but fell by 1.3 % (P < 0.01) on the Prudent diet... In the Prudent diet group, systolic blood pressure decreased by 4 (11) mmHg and diastolic blood pressure fell by 5 (9) mmHg after 2 weeks (both P < 0.02).
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with food provision (high adherence), but short duration (2 weeks) and small sample size (n=84) limit generalizability.
Source
A randomized controlled trial of the effects of a prudent diet on cardiovascular risk factors, gene expression, and DNA methylation - the Diet and Genetic Intervention (DIGEST) Pilot study
Michael A. Zulyniak et al. · BMC Nutrition · 2016
DOI 10.1186/s40795-016-0074-6
Related findings · Macro partitioning
- Total daily protein intake of 1.6 g/kg/day is sufficient for maximizing resistance training-induced muscle gains, with an upper confidence interval of 2.2 g/kg/day.Strong
- Resistance exercise training combined with sufficient dietary protein intake acts synergistically to maximize skeletal muscle hypertrophy, with protein intake saturating around 1.6 g/kg/day for general populations and potentially requiring 2.0-2.2 g/kg/day for resistance-trained individuals.Strong
- Trans fats should be completely eliminated from the diet, as they increase LDL cholesterol, decrease HDL cholesterol, and are directly associated with increased coronary risk.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →