Carbohydrates

1920s: medical use of the ketogenic diet

Ketogenic diets have been used since the 1920s to treat certain epilepsies. Very rich in lipids and very low in carbohydrates, they fall under a specific medical protocol, with specialized monitoring. Their story therefore does not begin as a trick to refine the face. Moderating portions of starchy foods and following a ketogenic diet are two very different approaches.

1960s: measuring muscle reserves

From the 1960s, studies using muscle biopsy made it possible to better examine glycogen reserves and their role in exercise. Research on recovery then focuses on their reconstitution after exercise. This sporting perspective explains why carbohydrates can be useful: their quantity also depends on the work required of the muscles, and not just the weight on the scale.

2015: target free sugars

In 2015, the WHO published a recommendation to reduce free sugars, in particular to prevent excessive weight gain and cavities. This category includes added sugars, but also those in honey, syrups and fruit juices. It does not correspond to all carbohydrates: reducing sugary drinks therefore does not mean recommending against whole fruits or all starchy foods.

2022: compare diets over time

A Cochrane review published in 2022 compares low-carbohydrate weight loss diets to balanced-carbohydrate diets in overweight or obese adults. It concludes that little or no difference in weight loss is likely for up to two years. These results shift the focus towards the quality of choices, the total quantity consumed and the possibility of maintaining the diet over time.