Recently, one of the most controversial questions in human nutrition concerning energy balance is to what extent diet macronutrient composition contributes to total energy intake. In this review, the authors take a closer look at the effects of dietary carbohydrates on body fatness. The authors discuss the methodological limitations of both observational and experimental studies on dietary composition and body weight. The authors also report that numerous studies do not provide clear evidence that altering the proportion of total carbohydrates in the diet has a significant impact on energy intake. However, the authors point out that there is evidence that sugar-sweetened beverages do not induce satiety to the same extent as solid forms of carbohydrates and that increases in sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption are associated with weight gain. Conversely, dietary fibre has been linked to lesser weight gain in observational studies even though fibre has not been definitively identified as the dietary attribute responsible for this reduction. Accordingly, the authors conclude that it is appropriate to recommend wholegrain cereals, vegetables, legumes, and fruits as the best sources of dietary carbohydrate.
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