When it comes to your health, all low-carbohydrate diets may not be considered equal. According to a new study, as compared to a low-carb diet based on meat protein, the one based on vegetable protein is healthier.

In recent years there has been a lot of popularity surrounding low-carb diets as it has been shown that weigh-loss is aided by them and some cardiovascular risk factors might also be tackled by them.

But a lot depends on the kind of protein and fat a diet contains when it comes to the benefits of a diet.

For about 20 years, 130,000 health professionals were followed and it was noted that there was a higher risk of death from any cause from low-carb diets that emphasized animal sources of fat and protein such as red meat.

When it came to people who consumed low-carb diets that emphasized vegetable sources of fat and protein, like beans and nuts, had their risk of death from any cause much lower.

Researcher Teresa T. Fung, ScD, of Simmons College in Boston and colleagues said, “The macronutrient content of both diets may be similar, but the source of those nutrients may create large differences in substances known to affect health, such as fatty acids, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and phytochemicals.”