Cited by 205Diet and metabolism studiesDietary Effects on HealthNutritional Studies and Diet

Long-term effects of a very low-carbohydrate diet and a low-fat diet on mood and cognitive function

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Brinkworth, Grant D.·2009·Archives of Internal Medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Very low-carbohydrate (LC) diets are often used to promote weight loss, but the long-term effects on psychological function remain unknown. METHODS: A total of 106 overweight and obese participants (mean [SE] age, 50.0 [0.8] years; mean [SE] body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared], 33.7 [0.4]) were randomly assigned either to an energy-restricted (approximately 1433-1672 kcal [to convert to kilojoules, multiply by 4.186]), planned isocaloric, very low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LC) diet or to a high-carbohydrate, low-fat (LF) diet for 1 year. Changes in body weight, psychological mood and well-being (Profile of Mood States, Beck Depression Inventory, and Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory scores), and cognitive functioning (working memory and speed of processing) were assessed. RESULTS: By 1 year, the overall mean (SE) weight loss was 13.7 (1.8) kg, with no significant difference between groups (P = .26). Over the course of the study, there were significant time x diet interactions for Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and Profile of Mood States scores for total mood disturbance, anger-hostility, confusion-bewilderment, and depression-dejection (P < .05) as a result of greater improvements in these psychological mood states for the LF diet compared with the LC diet. Working memory improved by 1 year (P < .001 for time), but speed of processing remained largely unchanged, with no effect of diet composition on either cognitive domain. CONCLUSIONS: Over 1 year, there was a favorable effect of an energy-restricted LF diet compared with an isocaloric LC diet on mood state and affect in overweight and obese individuals. Both diets had similar effects on working memory and speed of processing. Trial Registration anzctr.org.au Identifier: 12606000203550.

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Authors
Brinkworth, G. D.
Affiliations
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (AU)
Corresponding author
Brinkworth, Grant D.
Venue
Archives of Internal Medicine
Published
2009-11-09
Volume
169
Issue
20
Pages
1873
ISSN
0003-9926 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2166147261
Cited by
205
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 9
FWCI
6.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Archives of Internal Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion)
  • Flinders Academic Commons (Flinders University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Diet and metabolism studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Dietary Effects on Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
Keywords
very low carbohydrate diet, low-fat diet, hypocaloric diet, mood, depression, anxiety, working memory, processing speed, cognitive function, overweight, obesity, weight loss, long-term dietary effects
MeSH terms
Adult, Affect, Energy Intake, Cognition, Cognition Disorders, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Probability, Weight Loss, Body Mass Index, Multivariate Analysis, Treatment Outcome, Patient Satisfaction, Risk Assessment, Diet, Fat-Restricted, Mood Disorders, Body Fat Distribution, Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted, Young Adult

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