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Even those who didn’t lose weight experienced measurable improvements in metabolic health, such as higher “good” HDL cholesterol, lower leptin levels, and a reduction in visceral and liver fat.
By Shula Rosen
When people tell us they are “going on a diet,” we assume their main goal is to lose weight. Often the resulting weight loss is temporary, and the pounds return. However, that doesn’t mean dieting is a waste of time.
A groundbreaking international study led by Israeli researchers is changing that narrative and proving that even those who don’t shed pounds can still dramatically improve their health with the right diet.
The study, published in The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology in June 2025, was co-led by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in collaboration with Harvard and Leipzig University Medical Center. It analyzed data from more than 700 people who participated in long-term diet and lifestyle intervention trials conducted in Israel.
The team found that 28% of participants, despite following the program carefully, did not lose weight. But they still experienced measurable improvements in metabolic health, such as higher “good” HDL cholesterol, lower leptin levels, and a reduction in visceral and liver fat. These internal shifts, researchers say, can lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes, even if the number on the scale doesn’t change.
“We have been conditioned to equate weight loss with health,” said Dr. Anat Yaskolka Meir, an Israeli dietitian and lead author of the study. “But our findings prove that’s not the whole picture. Even people who do not lose weight can improve their metabolism and reduce their long-term risk for disease. That’s a message of hope, not failure.”
Dr. Gal Tsaban, a cardiologist and researcher at BGU’s Faculty of Health Sciences and the Mayo Clinic, added: “This population is often ignored, misunderstood, or dismissed. But our study shows that lifestyle change works, even when the weight doesn’t shift.”
The study was based on three Israeli-led clinical trials (DIRECT, CENTRAL, and DIRECT PLUS), which explored the effects of various diets—including Mediterranean and green-Mediterranean—on metabolic health.
Professor Iris Shai, the Israeli principal investigator, said this research marks a shift in public health thinking: “We must stop equating the scale with success. Everyone who embraces healthier habits deserves to know that their body is likely improving—even if the mirror doesn’t reflect it.”
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