A low-carb dieter's cardiovascular system might be at risk when the dieter engages in a cheat day, new research says.
University of British Columbia (Okanagan) researchers conducted an experiment to find out the effects of a sudden sugar hit on low-carb dieters.
Nine healthy young men were recruited to stay on a seven-day high fat, low-carbohydrate diet. Before and after the diet, each drank a 75-gram sugar drink.
Researchers initially suspected there would be an inflammatory response or reduced tolerance to blood sugar. According to Science Daily, instead they found biomarkers in blood suggesting that blood vessel walls were being damaged by the spike in sugar.
Researcher Jonathan Little told Science Daily that the effects of the glucose hit were a little alarming. He advised those on a keto diet to reconsider a cheat day, especially if they are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
