Decoding the most beneficial weight loss regiment will always be the topic of any healthy living discussion. Recent studies now suggest a low-carb diet may not be what the doctor ordered.

With a number of diets consistently being promoted, one tends to wonder, which diet is appropriate for his or her body type. The Atkins Diet, which is one of the most popular low-carbohydrate diets, promises not only will you lose weight, but also you will be on your way to a healthier lifestyle.

This research followed a group of people during their post weight-loss regiment who have different eating habits. One group was on the isocaloric low-fat diet, which consisted of 60 percent of energy derived from carbohydrate, 20 percent from fat and a high glucose load. The other group was on the low-glycemic load, which consisted of 40 percent carbohydrates, 40 percent from fat and 20 percent from protein, with a moderate glucose load. The last group was on a low-carb diet, which consisted of 10 percent carbohydrate, 60 percent from fat and 30 percent from protein, with a low glucose load.

By assessing each participant’s resting energy and totally energy, compared to how many calories one may burn by just existing, and on a normal day, researchers found each diet produced very different results.

With the frequently recommended low-fat diet, one may burn the least calories while at rest. During the low-carb diet the difference is 250 calories, almost the same amount that is in a Snicker bar, or an hour of moderate exercise, but there are unfortunate side effects. A low-carb diet may potentially lead to insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. The low-glycemic load diet may be the most beneficial. On the low-glycemic load, one may burn 130 calories a day compared to the low fat, which may be enough to help maintain the weight loss.

So overall, researchers discovered that it matters more where your calories come from.

This research was published in JAMA.