I first heard from Stephen Tong about this. That Americans used to think it was calories that made a person fat, so everyone focused on losing calories, but later studies showed that it was actually carbohydrate.
I later read contrary reports. But it seems that these reports may just be bias in their interpretations of the data.
I did a quick google with these keywords: calorie is not as relevant as carbohydrate to being fat
And this is the AI result:
While calories do matter for weight management, the statement "calorie is not as relevant as carbohydrate to being fat" suggests that focusing on reducing carbohydrate intake, rather than just total calories, may be more important for preventing weight gain, particularly when considering the impact of processed carbohydrates on insulin levels and potential for increased fat storage in the body; meaning the type of calories consumed, especially from carbohydrates, can play a significant role in fat accumulation, even if total calorie intake is controlled.
Key points to consider:
- Metabolic effects of carbs:Certain types of carbohydrates, especially refined carbs, can cause rapid blood sugar spikes, leading to increased insulin production which can promote fat storage.
- Not all calories are equal:While technically a calorie is a calorie, the source of that calorie (fat, protein, or carbohydrate) can have different metabolic effects on the body.
- Low-carb diets and weight loss:Studies have shown that low-carb diets can sometimes lead to greater weight loss compared to diets focused solely on calorie restriction, even when total calories are matched.
With this 2021 report (Obesity and weight loss: Why overall calorie intake may not be so important) that supports the claim that carbo is affects fatness more calories. And this article (Cutting carbs, not calories, may be key to long-term weight loss).
NEVERTHELESS, to be fair, cutting calorie is not without its benefit. As when it comes to eating less, particularly pertaining to lower calorie, studies seem to show longer life as a result.