What is the “ancestral” diet and why does it arouse concerns, despite its growing popularity?

The “ancestral” diet, a type of diet appeared a few years ago, attracts more and more followers due to the records published on social networks and its popularization by well -known influences. But experts point out that it can come with high health risks, The Independent reports.

Despite its growing popularity, “ancestral” nutrition is not a very well defined concept. For some it means following a carnivorous diet composed exclusively of animal products. For others, it means following the Paleo diet, a vague term, but which is generally understood as including foods available in the paleolithic age in the history of humanity: meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, but without cereals, dairy or processed foods.

The followers of an ancestral diet, which some call “primordial”, praise in some cases the benefits of intermittent post, feeding with raw products and a diverse range of pseudo -scientific diet rules, depending on the influence to which we refer.

However, anthropologists and biologists specialized in evolution speak of a much more complex image of early human diets.

What experts about real ancestral diet say

According to archaeological research, ancient people were omnivores whose eating habits varied dramatically according to the region, season and survival needs. In some parts of the world, there is no evidence of meat consumption. The fossilized dental plaque of Neanderthals shows in their mouth the loving bacteria of starch plants, a discovery that is not found in the other primates, outside man.

Therefore, experts believe that roots, tubers and seeds have probably helped supply the evolution of our big brains.

In other words, the true “ancestral diet” was not a restrictive diet, focused on meat. It was diversified, adaptable and anchored in the environment – an aspect conveniently ignored by influences.

“Although both the carnivorous and Paleo diet, claim that it uses the philosophy of ancient food, they differ significantly. The carnivorous diet completely eliminates foods of vegetable origin, while the Paleo diet includes a variety of integral foods, unprocessed and high in nutrients,” says Dr. Kesia Joy, Dietitician authorized to Welzo.

“Some followers of the Paleo diet can experience positive effects, such as a better metabolism and more efficient blood sugar, but both diets also have risks, especially in the long term,” she adds.

Joy explains that too strict interpretation of the idea of ​​ancestral eating can make people miss the proven benefits of food diversity. The lack of fibers, essential micronutrients and herbal phytonutrients is critical for intestinal and cardiovascular health, and a limited diet can cause digestive problems and increase the risk of ingestion of pathogens.

Is the ancestral eating healthy?

Smoothies with raw eggs, meat capsules from animal organs and food plans exclusively from meat are still ubiquitous on social networks, often presented as magical solutions for weight loss, muscle mass and “mental clarity”. But there is a dark side of this trend. By promoting unsustainable and invalidated diets, influencers encourage dietary disorders, nutritional deficiencies and false expectations.

“Meat is an excellent source of protein, and the protein has many important functions – it is essential for growth, repair and maintenance”, says Dr. Sammie Gill, authorized dietitian and spokesman for British Dietitic Association (BDA). “It plays an essential role in the structure and support of the body tissues and organs, fueling many chemical reactions, and forms the basis of hormones, enzymes and antibodies of the immune system. But excessive protein consumption is likely to replace essential nutrients for intestinal health, including fibers.

“Emerging research shows that too much protein and too little fiber can adversely affect intestinal health, by altering the composition and function of the intestinal microbiome. When the intestinal microbes ferment the excess protein, it releases harmful compounds, such as the n oxide of trimethylamine (TMAO), which have been associated with colon and inflammatory disease”, ” she adds.

The idea that an exclusively meat diet will help you achieve your health goals, promoted by influencers, is misleading because we know that fibers help balance the intestinal microbiome and prevent chronic diseases.

“Convincing research also highlights the important role of fibers in mental health disorders, such as depression,” says Dr. Gill.

The renunciation of fruits and vegetables can also lead to deficiencies in vital nutrients. “A deficiency of vitamin C, important in collagen synthesis, can cause dry skin and wrinkles. In terms of immunity, lack of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E and zinc, present in plant foods, it can limit the body's ability to defend themselves, thus exposing the individual to diseases,” says Dr. Joy.

Is it advisable to eat raw meat?

Whether the diet is carnivorous, keto or paleo, the consumption of products of raw animal origin is an unexpected tendency that has spread on social networks. The influencers distribute often viral clips in which they bite from pieces of raw meat and drink liters of raw milk.

In some cases, users of social networks show how they let the meat mature or ferment before consuming it – which doctors discourage strongly.

Food safety is a real problem in the case of raw meat consumption, explains Dr. Gill: “Crude meat consumption significantly increases the risk of food poisoning, while cooking meat destroys potentially dangerous pathogens, such as Salmonella, E.Coli and Campylobacter. Also, you are four times more prone to the year next year. food poisoning ”.

“We know that cooking influences the nutritional value of any food. The levels of vitamins and minerals can increase or decrease, and different cooking methods will produce different results. For example, Vitamins B are sensitive to heat. Studies show that cooked meat can contain lower levels of certain B vitamins, but I justify these small meat.

A “frightening” risk for health

Dr. Joy also emphasizes that, although some believe that raw meat, eggs and dairy consumption has the power to improve well -being, “people who consume raw foods for cultural reasons tend to have strict food safety regulations meant to reduce risks, which is not applicable in modern society.

“Organs such as liver and kidneys have a high nutritional value, but the danger of diseases caused by their cruel state is frightening. Crude dairy is the greatest health threat because they can be dangerous due to dangerous bacteria such as Listeria, Salmonella or Campylobacter.

Of course, a cruel egg will not kill you and many people consume them in smoothies, pastries or as delicacies in certain dishes. Likewise, raw meat may seem attractive as part of a balanced diet. The advice of experts is to look for safe and credible sources and consume raw products of animal origin, as part of a varied diet.

A cult of extremes about diet

Influencers who encourage primordial nutrition tend to divide into two categories. Some are harmless and encourage the consumption of seasonal, local and unprocessed foods, beneficial for intestinal health and longevity.

Others promote a return to a period of history in which even natural foods could kill you, especially if they were consumed raw. It is also likely that such influences have something to sell.

Dr. Gill argues that meat supplements are a total loss of money. “Don't get tired,” she says. In developed countries, most people easily satisfy their protein needs if they follow a varied diet with animal and/or vegetable protein sources.

In addition, in the long term it is always better to consume whole foods than to resort to supplements, so if the liver is something you want to include in the diet for your health, you can do it without problems. However, experts recommend that you cook it first and add a few plants to the plate.

“What works for you may not work for others,” says Dr. Joy.

“However, moderation remains important. Stimulating simplistic to extremely risky approaches. That is why it is essential to consider long -term nutrition practices, and to stop using restrictive diets. The best way to encourage good health is through diversified nutrition.” she points out.

Diet with fragrance aroma

One of the most famous influences promoting the “ancestral” diet, American fitness trainer Brian Johnson (better known as “Liver King”) built a commercial empire consuming a cruel liver and preaching the supposed power of “ancestral life”.

He argued that his extreme physique was the result of consumption of raw meat, including organs, lifting weights and avoiding modern “toxins” such as ultra -home foods. But Untold: The Liver Kinga new Netflix documentary launched earlier this month, shows that the true secret behind his carved body was not the testicular sauce, as he claimed, but massive amounts of human growth hormone.

The documentary tells an increasingly familiar story, like that of the influencer Belle Gibson from another Success Netflix, Apple Cider Vinegar:

An influencer in the field of “wellness” is looking for solutions to health problems-in the case of Johnson, his sons were facing diseases and allergies-and carries his new “knowledge” acquired on social networks. Quite soon, the desire for attention and profit overcomes any kind of ethical responsibility, and the scam thrives before starting to break down.