What would you think of looking back and adopting some practices carried out by our ancestor’s thousands of years ago? The paleo diet is something similar. Surely with all the advances and knowledge that we currently have, this may seem crazy. However, the idea may not be so far-fetched if it involves improving our quality of life.
And this is precisely what the ‘paleo diet’ is looking for, and a diet adopted today by a large number of athletes, which is becoming more and more popular for all the health benefits it brings. So, if you are interested in knowing more about this, then do not stop reading.
What exactly is the paleo diet?
The paleo diet, or ‘Paleolithic diet’ as it is also known, is a diet that seeks to go back to the typical diet of Paleolithic man. And for this, a fairly rigorous eating program must be followed, where our eating habits are turned 180 degrees.
What foods should not be eaten during the paleo diet?
You should know that the paleo diet starts from the principle that indicates the existence of a reciprocal cycle between good health and good nutrition.
Thus promoting this diet, consuming those foods that benefit our health while flatly opposing all those harmful to the body.
Thus, among some of the foods that the paleo diet opposes are the following:
Fast food.
Canned.
Fast food.
Foods that contain sugars.
Foods containing trans fats.
Dairy products.
Vegetables.
Alcohol.
Cereals.What foods does the paleo diet recommend?
As we have seen, the paleo diet is quite rigorous when it comes to food. And it is not for less, because a few thousand years ago, Palaeolithic man did not have a menu with too many options to choose from.
Dry fruits
However, thanks to this, our ancestors achieved greater longevity and suffered from fewer health conditions. We were enjoying, in that way, a higher quality of life.
You may be interested in reading: Eat healthily and healthily.
Thus, the approved menu to carry out a successful paleo diet may involve the consumption of foods such as:
Lean proteins.
Marine foods (such as fish and shellfish).
Fruits and vegetables in large quantities.
Seeds and nuts.
Avocado.
Nuts.
Olive oil.
Some animal meats (free animal meats).So, if you want to start the paleo diet, it’s time to say goodbye to fried foods, rice, flour, and all those foods that we eat so much but that can be so harmful to our health.
What are the benefits of going on the Paleo diet?
As mentioned above, one of the main benefits of this diet is directly related to improving our quality of life. Since having a healthy diet, we will be less exposed to suffering from diseases caused by excesses and eating disorders.
However, below we will talk about some other benefits that the paleo diet can bring so that you can learn a little more about them:
If you are overweight, it will help you lose weight and maintain your proper weight.
Contributes to the regulation of sleep.
By stopping consuming fats and so many chemically altered products, your skin begins to look healthier.
Contributes to the regulation of blood sugar.
The risk of heart disease is greatly reduced.
It contributes to the proper functioning of the digestive system, thus avoiding a large amount of damage suffered by the intestinal mucosa.There is intestinal microbiota composition and metabolic activity behind the close relationship between diet and intestinal health and well-being.
You may have already experienced gastrointestinal symptoms related to your diet, which can be worse by eating a certain food or food group. Don’t think that only happens to you! More and more people suffer from a priori benign digestive disorders, which nevertheless affect their quality of life. Therefore, it is not surprising that more and more culinary books and blogs are proposing “diets” to improve intestinal health around the world.
The Paleo (Paleolithic) stands out among all these “diets” so fashionable; the Paleo (Paleolithic) stands out, essentially eliminating cereals, dairy products, and legumes. Despite its good acceptance, neither its health benefits nor its long-term side effects deadline has been documented.
In a recent study, Angela Genoni and her colleagues at Edith Cowan University (Australia) have shown that following a long-term paleo diet (for more than a year) causes detrimental changes in the composition of the gut microbiota and an increase in levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), an organic compound linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Compared to subjects on a typically Australian balanced diet, people who followed a paleo diet harmed the gut microbiota, characterized by:
An increased presence of intestinal microbes (such as Hungatella) that produce higher levels of TMAO - a compound responsible for the narrowing or blockage of the arteries and
Lower levels of beneficial gut bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Roseburia ferment dietary fibers.These alterations in the intestinal microbiota are accompanied by high levels of TMAO in the blood, especially in individuals subjected to a strict paleo diet.
This study shows that excluding certain foods can prevent the proper functioning of the intestinal microbiota, with consequences beyond the intestine.But these are not the only adverse effects on the health of the participants. The elevated levels of TMAO in the blood and intestinal microbes involved in its production in the paleo diet group were related to the low intake of resistant starch and whole grains. Both foods are the favorite fuel for the gut microbiota and therefore contribute to optimal gut health.
This study shows that excluding certain foods or food groups can prevent the proper functioning of the intestinal microbiota, with consequences beyond the intestine. For example, a lack of cereals in a person’s diet can affect their heart health.
A varied and balanced diet could improve intestinal and metabolic health through the gut microbiota.
Suppose you ever decide to change your diet. In that case, we recommend that you avoid any radical changes and consult a health professional, such as a dietitian, who can advise you on your food choices to improve your intestinal health and general well-being.