A study comparing The South Beach Diet™ to the more traditional low-fat, low-calorie, high-carbohydrate diet promoted by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) was published in the October 25, 2004 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. The verdict? Following The South Beach Diet™ promotes favorable changes in blood lipid levels and greater short-term weight loss than a traditional low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet.
The study, co-written by Dr. Agatston, followed 60 people on either The South Beach Diet™ or a lower-fat, high-carb diet. Researchers tracked participants over a period of three months and evaluated weight loss, blood lipid levels, and waist-to-hip ratios.
After three months, those on The South Beach Diet™—which includes overall lower total carbohydrates than the NCEP diet, but is higher in complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and monounsaturated fat—lost 6 pounds more than those on the NCEP diet. Significantly favorable changes in all lipid levels occurred with The South Beach Diet™—but not in the NCEP group. Waist-to-hip ratio was not significantly different between the two groups. Overall, The South Beach Diet™ caused more weight loss than the NCEP diet, had no adverse effects, and improved lipid levels during the three-month trial.
