The Paleo diet, or so-called "caveman" diet, might not be as healthy as people seem to think and could actually lead to weight gain instead of weight loss.

A new study published in the journal Nutrition & Diabetes, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Melbourne, has shown that following this low-carb, high-fat food plan for just eight weeks could lead to rapid weight gain. The scientists tested the diet on mice and found that they gained 15 percent of their body weight and began having health complications.

The findings have even caused the researchers to issue a warning to the public to stop putting faith in so-called fad diets. Instead, they recommend that people with diabetes or pre-diabetes eat a Mediterranean diet instead. The lead professor does not recommend the Paleo diet, especially for people who are already overweight.

The Paleo diet is a diet that allows people to eat as a caveman would, which typically means meat, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, nuts, seeds and healthful oils, according to Medical Daily. On this diet, you cannot consume potatoes, grains, legumes, refined sugar, salt, any processed foods or refined vegetable oils.

"We are told to eat zero carbs and lots of fat on the paleo diet," associate professor Sof Andrikopoulos said, according to Telegraph. "Our model tried to mimic that, but we didn't see any improvements in weight or symptoms. In fact, they got worse. The bottom line is it's not good to eat too much fat. Low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets are becoming more popular, but there is no scientific evidence that these diets work."

The diet first became wildly popular in 2001 when Loren Cordain published "The Paleo Diet." Many people, including several celebrities, have successfully lost weight on the diet, and celebrity chef Pete Evans, who is a firm Paleo believer, has decided to disregard this study's findings.

"YOU HAVE TO LAUGH AT WHAT THE SO CALLED 'PROFESSIONALS' ARE SPROUTING THIS WEEK, as they keep digging a deeper and deeper hole for themselves!" Evans wrote on Facebook. "The media and also the health organisations are once again clutching at straws. This time it is a study done on Mice - yep you heard that right...mice!"

He went on to share the study and explain that he believes the study should be done on humans. "The amount of Australians that have reached out to me to say how the paleo way have helped their type 2 diabetes is amazing," he continued. "So much so that a lot are off all their medication, proves and illustrates that this way of life is working for so many people. With close to 1 million Australians with type 2 diabetes, the paleo way is a bloody good place to start and of course consult with your healthy health professional that is up to date with the latest science."