Effects of carbohydrate-restricted diets and macronutrient replacements on cardiovascular health and body composition in adults: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Carbohydrate-restricted diets (CRDs) are widely promoted for improving cardiovascular and body composition outcomes, yet evidence remains mixed across dietary patterns, populations, and study designs.

Objectives

This meta-analysis evaluated the effects of CRDs on cardiovascular and anthropometric outcomes and examined whether these effects varied by diet type, macronutrient replacement, participant characteristics, and study features.

Methods

Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, 174 randomized trials (n = 11,481) from 27 countries were included. Eligible studies compared CRDs (≤45% of energy from carbohydrates) to higher-carbohydrate diets in adults and reported cardiovascular or anthropometric outcom

SUBMITTER: Feng S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12799388 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature