Trendy low-carb diets popular with celebrities raise the risk of a developing an irregular heartbeat linked to strokes, warns a new study.
The low-carb - or 'keto' - diet trend is all the rage, with devotees including Kim Kardashian and Gwyneth Paltrow.
But new research suggests that cutting back on carbohydrates can spell trouble for your heart.
The findings show people getting a low proportion of their daily calories from carbs such as grains, fruits and starchy vegetables are 'significantly more likely' to develop an irregular heartbeat, also known as atrial fibrillation.
Following the keto diet forces the body into a metabolic state, known as ketosis, which starves the body of carbohydrates but not calories
The Ketogenic diet defines a low-carb, high-fat way of eating.
Following this eating plan forces the body into a metabolic state, known as ketosis, which starves the body of carbohydrates but not calories.
Carbs are shunned in the keto diet as they cause the body to produce glucose, which is used as energy over fat.
Keto diets therefore lead to weight loss as they make the body burn fat as its primary energy source.
On the diet, followers can eat:
Meat Leafy greens and most vegetables Full-fat dairy Nuts and seeds Avocadoes and berries Fats, such as coconut oilPeople cannot eat:
Grains, including rice and wheat Sugar, like honey and maple syrup Most fruit White or sweet potatoesThe study analyzed the health records of more than 13,000 people spanning more than two decades.
It is the first and largest to assess the relationship between carbohydrate intake and atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder.
The heart of people with the problem doesn't always beat or keep pace the way it should, which can lead to palpitations, dizziness and fatigue.
People with atrial fibrillation are five times more likely to have a stroke than people without the condition. It can also lead to heart failure.
Restricting carbs has become a popular weight loss method in recent years.
While there are many different low-carb diets including the ketogenic, paleo and Atkins diets, most emphasize proteins while limiting intake of sugars, grains, legumes, fruits and starchy vegetables.
Study lead author Dr Xiaodong Zhuang, a cardiologist based at Sun Yat-Sen University in China, said: 'The long-term effect
