Going on a low-carb diet has long been a popular weight-loss strategy. But some doctors and nutrition experts have advised against doing so over fears that it could increase the risk of heart disease since such diets typically involve eating lots of saturated fats, the kind found in red meat and butter.

But a new randomized-controlled trial, one of the largest and most rigorous studies of the subject, suggested that eating a diet low in sugar and processed carbohydrates and higher in fats may be beneficial for your cardiovascular health if you are obese or overweight.

The researchers reported that the people in the study who were randomized to increase their fat intake and lower the amount of refined carbohydrates in their diet had greater improvements in their cardiovascular disease risk factors than those who followed a similar diet that was lower in fat and higher in sugar and processed carbs.

Although the study diet largely eliminated highly processed carbs and foods with added sugars, it also emphasized “high quality” carbs from whole fruits and vegetables, beans, legumes, and other plants.

The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. More details are available at DrWalt.com.

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