WHEN YOU’RE TRYING to jump-start your weight loss, it’s tempting to go on an ultra-low-calorie“crash diet”. These types of diets, which usually entail eating an incredibly restrictive 800 calories a day, have been shown to help people drop weight, lower blood pressure, and reverse diabetes—but should only be attempted under medical supervision.
One reason for that? Restrictive meal plans may cause damage to the heart, according to new research from the University of Oxford in the U.K. presented at a recent meeting of the European Society of Cardiology.