Researchers Weigh the Benefits and Risks of the South Beach Diet

Pros and Cons of the South Beach Diet

Over the last decade, literally thousands of new diet books have hit the market. Whether your tastes run to grapefruit, cabbage soup, or Mediterranean foods, there's probably a book out there to help you.

Despite diets that spanned the entire spectrum of food groups and eating styles, few have attracted as much attention -- or sparked as much controversy -- as the low-carb diets. The theory behind these weight loss plans is that it is carbohydrates, not fats, which are often responsible for excess pounds. By eliminating starches and the empty calories they often contain, weight loss often proceeds quickly -- and relatively painlessly. Let's explore the pros and cons of the South Beach diet.

Although low-carb diets are not new -- the most popular "reducing" diet of the nineteenth century was based on the same principles -- their sudden popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s incited a wave of backlash among the medical establishment. The Atkins diet, in particular, which recommends very severe restriction of carbohydrates, drew the ire of many health experts.

The South Beach diet represents something of a compromise between low-carb and low-fat diet philosophies. Developed by Florida cardiologist Arthur Agatston, the diet relies on low-glycemic index foods to help dieters capitalize on the benefits of low-carb eating, without going to the extremes of harsher approaches, such as the Atkins diet.

So does the South Beach Diet work? Well, researchers around the globe have been asking that same question. This week, we'll review the results of two studies that have assessed the effectiveness of the South Beach Diet as a weight loss tool.

Researchers Compare Outcomes of South Beach Diet and Popular Cholesterol-Reducing Diet

Several studies have established that the South Beach Diet appears to be successful for some dieters, but the broader health implications of the diet have long remained unclear. A recent study published in the prestigious Archives of Internal Medicine sought to determine whether the South Beach Diet would be as effective as another diet that is often recommended to patients by their physicians, the U.S. National Cholesterol Education Program diet. This diet is a standard low-fat, low-calorie weight loss program.

The study followed groups of overweight men and women who were directed to adhere to the nutritional guidelines of either the South Beach Diet or the U.S. National Cholesterol Education Program diet. After 12 weeks, it was found that the participants following the South Beach Diet lost more weight. In addition, those in the South Beach Diet group improved their overall cholesterol profile more.

The South Beach Diet was found to be easier to adhere to, as well. Of the five participants who dropped out of the study, five were in the group directed to follow the U.S. National Cholesterol Education Program diet, while only one was in the South Beach Diet group. Taken together, these results showed that the South Beach Diet is a viable, effective option for some dieters.

South Beach Diet Eliminates Negative Effects of the Atkins Diet

Although it is clear that low-carb diets can help people lose weight, some doctors have expressed their reservations about the overall health impact of severely carbohydrate-restricted regimens, such as the Atkins diet. However, the South Beach diet has been described as a "best of both worlds" approach that offers the benefits of low-carb diets without as many health risks.

The relative safety of the South Beach diet seems to have been proven in a recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. In an experiment that compared the health impacts of the Atkins diet, the South Beach diet, and the low-fat, low-calorie Ornish diet, the participants following the South Beach diet had the best combination of weight loss and low side effects.

The Atkins diet followers fared well with weight loss, but they quickly showed signs of other possibly risky side effects, such as increased blood cholesterol and hardened arteries. According to the researchers, the South Beach diet offered the best alternative for rapid weight loss and low side effects.

If you're considering using the South Beach diet to lose weight and improve your health, make an appointment to talk to your doctor before you begin. She'll be able to help you determine if it's the right diet for you. Please check back each week for more of the latest weight loss research!