The Truth About Carbohydrates: The Link Between Carbs and Weight Loss

Some small, short-term studies have suggested that low-carb dieting may lead to improved weight loss.

But researchers warn that it’s tricky to reach a true consensus because there’s no consistent, standardized definition of what “low-carb” actually means.

The best insights come from controlled feeding studies. Researchers track exactly what people eat—often using meals prepared by a research kitchen—versus most other studies where people self-report their diet habits.

In a meta-analysis of 32 different controlled feeding studies, low-carb diets were not any more effective for weight loss and weight management than other forms of dieting.

In some cases, a low-carb diet was actually less effective.