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
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