Does a low-carb diet help athletes lose weight effectively?

Why does low-carb NOT help athletes to lose weight effectively?

1. Decreased performance: Carbs are the body's primary source of energy during exercise, especially during moderate- to high-intensity activities like cycling. Cutting carbs too severely the body may shift to using a higher proportion of fats for energy. This can result in reduced performance and slower recovery times.
2. Inadequate nutrient intake: Reducing carbs can lead to insufficient intake of essential nutrients, such as fibers and certain vitamins and minerals, which are crucial for overall health and performance.
3. Only temporary weight loss: When your body stores carbohydrates in the form of glycogen, it binds water to these glycogen molecules. This is a normal and natural process. A low-carb diet can therefore lead to rapid initial weight loss as it restricts the intake of carbs, which retain water. However, this can provide a psychological boost for athletes looking to shed pounds quickly, science is clear that the effect is temporary.
4. Increased fat utilization is not the same as increased fat loss: Although low-carb diets can encourage the body to use fat as a more predominant energy source and therefore aiding in fat burning, this does not automatically mean you will lose fat mass. In the end energy balance plays a key role in weight loss.