3 diets that do more harm than good to the body

We never tire of repeating that there is nothing better for a beautiful and healthy body than sports + proper nutrition. However, there are still people who believe in wild delusions like apple or protein diets. It is not difficult to understand why - a person always wants to go the easiest way, and sitting on a diet for a month in order to get in shape and continue to eat whatever he wants is the easiest way.

In this article, we will look at the three most popular diets - their pros, cons, and their effect on our body.

Diet of one (healthy and correct) food

Method: for several days, you need to eat only one product (grapefruits, buckwheat, apples), a group of products (fruits or vegetables) or juices.

What do they promise: Dramatic weight loss, metabolic renewal (how is it?), Cleansing of toxins, fats and other harmful things that prevent you from living.

Problem: Sitting on a diet of only one product, you deprive your body of many of the substances it needs: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and trace elements, which, of course, will have a bad effect on your body.

Risks: After a few days of such a diet, your body, exhausted from a strong loss of calories, will begin to process your muscles into energy. Not only will this slow down your metabolism, but it will also lead to the fact that instead of fat, you will lose your muscles. And this is not to mention the diseases of the digestive system.

Carbohydrate-free diet

Method: The whole diet consists of protein and small amounts of carbohydrates (up to 20 grams).

What do they promise: Your body will spend a lot of energy processing protein, and since protein takes longer to process, you will feel fuller longer.

Problem: Severe lack of carbohydrates will make you lethargic and weak. All due to the fact that the body draws energy from carbohydrates. Also, carbohydrates are an essential part in the work of organs such as the heart and brain. A lack of carbohydrates will force your body to draw energy not only from subcutaneous fat, but also from muscles.

Risks: such a diet has a negative effect on the organs. A large amount of protein overloads the kidneys and liver, and a lack of carbohydrates leads to fragility of bones and weakness.

Severe calorie restriction

Method: The daily calorie intake is reduced by 20-25% of the established norm.

What do they promise: Reduced risk of heart disease, improved circulatory system and of course weight loss.

Problem: The whole point is that the daily calorie intake was invented for a reason, and it is this amount of calories that the body needs for proper functioning. Reducing calories slows down your metabolism and all basic body functions, as it has to rebuild its work for less energy.

Risks: It is worth noting that losing weight is precisely based on reducing the daily calorie intake. But everything depends on the size of this decrease. Strong and dramatic reductions will put you at risk of losing muscle mass, slowing your metabolism, lowering testosterone levels (if you're a man) and nutrient deficiencies.

We tried to convince you once again that such diets are evil. On Lifehacker you will find many articles to help you learn more about proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.