The media and health professionals in the past demonized low carb diets while people thought they would increase their cholesterol and put them at risk of heart disease because of their high fat content. As tables keep on turning, researches have been carried out to find out if these low carb diets are safe for human consumption and if they offer all the required nutrients in the right proportions. Studies have shown that low carb diets not only help in weight loss, but also lower cholesterol among other health benefits.

Here are some benefits you can reap from a low carb diet:

Suppress Appetite

The worst thing that can strike when you are dieting is hunger. It is the number one cause which makes people on a diet plan to succumb to the temptations of making unhealthy food choices. The best thing about low-carb diets is that they reduce appetite. Studies have continually shown that people who embark on low-carb diets tend to eat fewer calories.

Help Lose Weight

One of the best ways to lose weight is reducing your carbohydrates intake in every plate. Studies have shown that you can lose more weight faster by eating low carb diet unlike with low-fat diets. The main reason behind this is the fact that low carb diets flush out excess water from your body. By lowering insulin, low carb diets trigger release of more sodium by the kidney which promotes weight loss.

Reduce Belly Fat

The fat in various parts of the body is different. The site of its location determines whether you will be at risk of diseases and conditions. Under your skin, there is the subcutaneous fat and visceral fat in the abdominal cavity. Visceral fat hangs around organs where it can trigger inflammation and insulin resistance which are major hindrances to metabolism. Low carb diets are effective in the reduction of belly fat and as a result lower chances of heart disease and type-2 diabetes.

Promote Burning of Fat

The simple molecules in fat are referred to as triglycerides. Fasting triglycerides exposes you to heart disease. Studies have shown that these molecules are formed due to conversion of carbohydrates into fat. By simply cutting down the consumption of carbohydrates, there will be gradual reduction in triglycerides levels in you blood. People who opt for low-fat diets risks increasing triglycerides in their bodies.

Increase Good Cholesterol

The good cholesterol is also known as high density lipoprotein (HDL). Both HDL and low density lipoprotein (LDL) are the molecules which carry the cholesterol around your body. LDL mostly carries cholesterol from the liver while HDL carries from the blood and to the liver where it is reused or excreted. According to studies, the higher the high amount of HDL, the lower the risk of heart disease. Low carb diets increase the levels of HDL unlike low-fat diets, according to studies.

Reduce Blood Sugar and Insulin

Your digestive system breaks down carbohydrates in to simple sugars (glucose). The simple sugars are readily absorbed into the bloodstream. Since the blood sugars are toxic, your body responds using a hormone known as insulin which commands the cells to absorb sugar molecules for energy or store them as fat. Some people lack enough insulin to execute these commands which can affect the body in a negative way. By simply cutting carbohydrates intake, you can spare your body from this harm.

Related: Top 6 Good Carbohydrates for Weight Loss

Lowers Blood Pressure

An increased blood pressure, or rather hypertension, is a major risk factor to a number of diseases like stroke, kidney failure and heart disease. One of the most effective methods to lower your blood pressure is by resorting to low carb diets. This is in reference to studies which have also found out that low carb diets also help improve longevity.

Prevent Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome has strong links with heart disease and diabetes. It’s characterized by abdominal obesity, blood pressure, high blood sugar, increased triglycerides and low HDL. The best thing about low carb diets is that they reduce all these symptoms. Whereas the government recommends low-fat diet to treat this condition, it is still unaware that such diets don’t address the underlying cause of metabolic syndrome.

Treats Brain Disorders

Your brain constantly needs glucose to function optimally. Only certain parts of your brain have the ability to burn glucose. Ketogenic diets have been used in the past to treat epilepsy in children who didn’t respond to medical treatments. Studies have shown that low carb diets address diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and seizures.

Conclusion

It is now evident that the benefits that come with low carb diets goes beyond helping in weight loss. Plus they have more benefits than low-fat diets. By promoting a number of processes in your body, low carb diets are a sure way to help fight illnesses and conditions that are risk factors. Along helping you get a healthy weight, low carb diets will provide your body with all the nutrients and minerals it require to function optimally.