by 'Proof' it's fats, not carbs, that cause weight gain – but only in mice
"Fat consumption is the only cause of weight gain!" declares the Mail Online, reporting on a study where mice were exposed to different diets and monitored for weight gain and increased energy intake.
Around 30 different diets, all highly controlled, were given to mice over a period of 12 weeks.
The diets varied in the amount of carbohydrate, fat and protein they contained. The mice's body composition and food intake was measured every day.
Mice who consumed a steady amount of protein but an increasing amount of dietary fat gained the most body fat during the study.
There was no change in body fat gain when the researchers gave mice increasing amounts of carbohydrates while they ate steady amounts of fat and protein.
This study gives us possible insight into the effect that making small changes to specific dietary components may have on body fat gain.
One point noted by the researchers is fat stimulates the so-called "reward pathways" in the brain, which leads to a strong desire to consume more of it, as seen with addictive substances such as alcohol and cocaine.
It may be the case that the more fat you eat, the more fat you want to eat (at least in mice).
But it's unclear whether these findings would apply to people, or what role physical activity might have in modifying the results.
Continues/
So, if this research can be replicated and can be shown to be relevant to human physiology, what of this carb. hype?
We're getting food manufacturers to reduce sugar all over the place, not a bad thing, in my opinion, but which may turn out to be a 'false alarm'.
What I haven't been able to determine is, who is financing this study?
