In something that will make half of South Africa scoff at, a new study from Stellenbosch University has said that the Tim Noakes Banting diet is neither healthier nor more effective for weight-loss.

We can just see the “banters” getting their pitchforks ready…

Lead researcher Celeste Naude from the Centre for Evidence-based Health Care at Stellenbosch University’s faculty of medicine and health sciences (breath), has said that the study results will “clear up the misperception” that low carbohydrate diets make you lose weight faster.

This systematic review shows that when the amount of energy [calories] consumed by people following the low carbohydrate and balanced diets was similar, there was no difference in weight loss after three to six months and after one to two years in those with and without diabetes.

The dietary pattern and food choices promoted with a low carbohydrate/high fat diet are not well aligned with healthy dietary patterns and food choices known to, along with a healthy lifestyle, reduce the risk of diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancers”.

Dr Vash Munghal-Singh, CEO of Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, has also said that “based on the current evidence we cannot recommend a low-carbohydrate diet to the public.”

Read the full story on Mail & Guardian.