The trial aimed to test the idea that “high glycaemic” foods such as processed carbs increase hunger

An Atkins-style low-carb diet makes dieters burn more calories and could help keep weight off, a trial has found.

Slimmers eating a low-carb diet used up more than 200 extra calories a day compared to those eating the same amount of energy through high-carb foods. Refined carbohydrates such as sugar and white bread that release energy quickly may encourage the body to store food as fat rather than metabolise it, scientists suggested.

Although the researchers said the extra calories burned could translate into an extra 10kg weight loss over three years, the real significance is likely to be in keeping this fat off. Losing weight long-term is notoriously difficult because the body adapts by slowing metabolism and increasing hunger.

The trial was designed to test