Low carb diet 'increases heart disease risk'

London, Dec 10 (ANI): Eating a low carbohydrate diet can raise a person's risk of heart disease, says a new study.

The low-carb diet involves eating more protein and fat in foods such as meat, cream and butter and cutting out bread, sugar and other foods high in carbohydrates.

People who shun carbs like bread and pasta are 25 per cent more likely to suffer clogged arteries than in a low-fat diet, the research published in the journal Diabetes found.

Hardening of the arteries is a key indicator of future heart problems, reports The Daily Express.

Dr Steven Hunter, from the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, said: "High-fat diets have become popular because they seemingly promote more rapid weight loss and because of their palatability.

"However, we now have proof that they do not help ­people lose weight any faster than more conventional diets.

"And the potential negatives of increased cardiovascular risks far outweigh the potential positives of more easily sustained dieting/weight loss, especially when there is a proven and safe alternative in low-fat high-carbohydrate weight loss diets."

To reach the conclusion, experts looked at a group of obese pre-diabetic adults over eight weeks. (ANI)