A 4-year study found that specially formulated drinks were far more effective than conventional low-calorie diets.

The trial conducted at the University of Ulm in Germany, involved 100 overweight subjects. Half were asked to cut their food intake to 1,500 calories by choosing low fat foods. The rest replaced two meals with a diet shake of around 220 calories and then had a 'normal' evening meal of up to 900 calories.

After 3 months, those on meal replacement had lost over a stone (14 pounds), or 8% of their body weight, whilst those on D.I.Y low-fat diets lost just under 2 pounds of body weight. Volunteers taking meal replacements also saw lowering of insulin and cholesterol levels as well as blood pressure, and they also managed to maintain their weight loss over a 4 year period by swapping one meal a day for a shake plus being allowed a low calorie snack bar.

The explanation for the success was that sticking to a meal replacement shake was easier than trying to just 'cut back'.

Dr Andrew Prentice a nutritionist at the medical Research Council in London said that many specialists were impressed by the results. "Meal replacements do seem to work exceedingly well" he said "originally I was one of those who thought you just have to teach people to eat low calorie foods to get them to lose weight but it is clear that doesn't work."

Dr Tony Leeds, a leading nutritionist at King's College London, said meal replacements had a bad image amongst health professionals. "Most doctors, nurses and dieticians react very negatively to meal replacements after publicity 20 years ago suggested they were dangerous. But that is all in the past because tight legislation controls what manufacturers can put in them. They are a very good source of micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, iron and calcium. At last we have the evidence to show that they are safe and effective and may even lead to people having a better quality diet than before."

So they actually result in better health and greater weight loss! The key appears to be making sure that the shakes are high in nutrition and the evening meal is low in calories and well balanced.

Do you want to find a shake diet? Check out our 'Shake into Shape' Diet, Aerolean Shakes or the Hydroburn System in the Weight Loss Shop under Complete Diets.