New research shows people who drastically reduce the number of calories in their diet actually reduce their risk of heart disease and diabetes.
"I think one would bet of one had to bet that these folks would live longer. It's certainly not proven by this study," said Dr. Stuart Seides.
But the researchers found 18 people who had been eating a very low calorie diet of 1,100 to just under 2,000 calories a day. Then they compared them to 18 people who ate the average of from nearly 2,000 calories a day to more than 3,500.
Those on the restricted diet had more of the good and less of the dangerous cholesterol.
The heart benefit has been seen in real life. During World War II the shortage of food in some northern European countries led to a drop in death from heart disease. When the war ended, deaths rose again.
Although experts can't explain why drastic calorie reduction seems to have these benefits, they do say it should be done under a nutritionist, or you could end up malnourished.
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