Many people think dieting is a good way to lose weight, but experts say it may be very harmful to people's physical and mental health. While dieting can have many health benefits, it also carries the risk of potentially serious adverse effects.
Restricting your caloric intake or reducing your carb and fat consumption to a set level may have detrimental effects on your health over time, regardless of whether you're following an intermittent fasting or low-carb diet. However, before you go on a diet, consider these arguments supported by research.
Research shows that prolonged diets might cause weight gain and muscle loss. A research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that 32 non-obese men who cut their calorie consumption by 1,300 for three weeks gained weight and lost muscle mass.
Eating less will impair your energy production, causing weariness and exhaustion. While it's true, a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine indicated that a low-carb diet increases fatigue. Completely eliminating carbohydrates can be dangerous. You can eat complicated or excellent carbohydrates. This gives your body energy to work well.
Long-term dieting might leave you weak and unwell, as well as weary. According to Harvard Medical School researchers, long-term fasting might cause "headaches, lethargy, crankiness, and constipation". Therefore, they advocate "alternate-day fasting" over "periodic fasting".
Diets might deplete your body of vitamins and minerals. Dieting normally reduces carbohydrates, lipids, and calories, but it may also reduce fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. In such cases, experts advise portion restriction. It means eating less yet a little of everything.
Low-calorie diets cause significant hair loss, say scientists. According to a Dermatology Practical & Conceptual research, poor nutrition affects hair follicles and prevents hair growth. One study says, "Nutritional deficiency may impact both hair structure and hair growth." It's necessary to eat rich meals.
Weight reduction diets starts well but might progress to unstable eating habits. The International Journal of Eating Disorders reports that 35% of 'normal dieters' can become pathological and 20% more likely to acquire an eating disorder.