Diet vs Exercise for Belly Fat

Original Title

Effects of a Very Low-Carbohydrate High-Fat Diet and High-Intensity Interval Training on Visceral Fat Deposition and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Overfat Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

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Summary

This study looked at how eating low-carb high-fat food and doing short bursts of intense exercise affect belly fat and fitness in people with extra body fat.

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Surprising Findings

VLCHF diet reduced visceral fat but also caused muscle loss

Many assume low-carb diets only burn fat, but this shows they also deplete lean body mass—something not commonly discussed in popular diet culture.

Practical Takeaways

If you're trying to lose belly fat, a VLCHF diet can be effective, but consider adding resistance training to preserve muscle mass.

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Publication

Journal

Frontiers in Nutrition

Year

2021

Authors

L. Cipryan, Tomas Dostal, M. Litschmannová, P. Hofmann, Philip Maffetone, P. Laursen

Open Access
10 citations