Walnut-rich, higher fat diet shows comparable weight loss to a low-fat, higher carbohydrate diet

MUMBAI: A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that a diet containing unsaturated fats, such as those found in walnuts and olive oil, has similar weight loss effects as a lower fat, higher-carbohydrate diet.
The research, led by Dr. Cheryl Rk of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, also showed that a diet containing walnuts, which are primarily comprised of polyunsaturated fats, positively impacts heart health markers, such as cholesterol.“One of the surprising findings of this study was that even though walnuts are higher in fat and calories, the walnut-rich diet was associated with the same degree of weight loss as a lower fat diet,” said Dr. Rock. “Considering the results of this study, as well as previous walnut research on heart health and weight, there’s something to be said for eating a handful of walnuts a day.”
The research team studied 245 overweight and obese women (22-72 years old) enrolled in a one-year behavioral weight loss intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to three different diets: 1) a lower fat and higher carbohydrate diet, 2) a lower carbohydrate and higher fat diet, or 3) a walnut-rich, higher fat and lower carbohydrate diet. Those prescribed a walnut-rich diet consumed 1.5 ounces per day. Looking at data from the first six months of the intervention, this study found that the average weight loss was nearly eight percent of initial weight for all groups.
'Nutritionist Kavita Devgan, says, “Walnuts can be an important food for weight management. Research has shown that health benefits from eating walnuts do not come at the expense of weight gain. A handful of walnuts provides fiber and protein which aids in satiety, a key to weight management. Researchers have noted in many walnuts studies that subjects did not gain weight when walnuts were substituted for other fat in reduced-calorie diets. In fact, people often report feeling more satisfied when they add walnuts in their diet. Walnuts are sodium, cholesterol and gluten free.”