A clinical trial has shown that personalised nutrition plans, which do not require calorie counting, can effectively aid weight loss and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Research published in the journal Nature Medicine revealed that adhering to Zoe, a program that customises diet recommendations based on individual biology, resulted in substantially greater health advantages compared to adhering to generic healthy eating guidelines.
Experts emphasised that the discoveries held significant implications for addressing the obesity epidemic and chronic illnesses in the long term, underlining the necessity to shift away from guidance centred on low-calorie and low-fat foods.
Zoe offers personalised food suggestions through an app, utilising results from at-home tests that analyse gut bacteria and the body's reaction to fats and sugars. Caloric intake is not factored into the recommendations; rather, participants are encouraged to consume at least 30 different types of plants weekly and steer clear of ultra-processed foods.
In an 18-week trial conducted in the US, 347 adults with an average age of 52 participated, with half assigned to the Zoe program for the duration while the other half received generalised government advice.
Compared to the control group, individuals utilising Zoe experienced an average weight loss of 2.5kg (5.5lb) and a reduction of 2 cm in waist circumference. Tests demonstrated notable enhancements in blood sugar regulation, increased presence of beneficial gut bacteria, and improved mood and sleep among participants.
