This is the most searched-for diet in the world right now.

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Yahoo data have revealed the most-searched for diet in the world. It’s not ‘Paleo‘ and it’s not ‘Atkins‘. It’s not even ‘diet that recognises donuts as its own food group’ (sadly).

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No, the diet people all over the world want to know more about is the ‘Dukan diet’.

Never heard of it? Neither had I.

Jennifer Lopez has done it. Supermodel Gisele Bundchen swore by it after the birth of her son Benjamin. And even our favourite royal, Kate Middleton, has reportedly followed it.

So what's it all about?

Named after its French creator Dr Pierre Dukan, The Dukan Diet book was first published in 2000 but not translated into English and released in the UK and US until 2011. It's now sold more than seven million copies globally.

The protein-based low carb diet which focuses on weight loss is broken down into four steps; Attack, Cruise, Consolidation and Permanent Stabilisation.

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Sounds intense. (Post continues after gallery.)

In the first 'Attack' stage, you can indulge in as much pure protein including meat and vegetable protein like tofu as you like for 10 days.

The second stage, 'Cruise', lets you alternate days of pure protein with days where you can also have non-starchy vegetables like cucumbers and green salads. You are also required to do 30 minutes of walking each day.

Once you reach your goal weight, the 'Consolidation' phase begins. This is designed to help you keep the weight off. In addition to all the approved proteins and veggies, you can now also indulge in starchy food like pasta twice a week. You can also eat servings of fruit, whole-grain bread and cheese, but must stick to one pure-protein day each week.

The final stage of the diet is the very official sounding 'Permanent Stabilisation' phase, which allows you to eat whatever you want for six days a week, then have one day where you must revert to an even stricter version of the 'Attack' phase.

Does it actually have any benefits though?

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There is some debate over evidence of the Dukan diet's health benefits.

While some research supports the claim that eating fewer carbs is good for you if you're concerned about your cholesterol, other research has proved conflicting or inconclusive.

It's not a favourite with dietary organisations either.

For three consecutive years (2010-2012) the Dukan diet was named the number one diet to avoid by the British Dietetic Association, and it was ranked near the bottom (alongside Paleo) in the US News and Word Report's annual diet rankings this year.

A diet with few carbs and much conflict? We might give this one a miss.

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 Have you ever tried the Dukan diet? Did it work?