Paleo diet has been gaining popularity steadily over the years. It has delivered results to prove that it is not one of the seasonal fad diets and is here to stay. The paleo diet, also known as caveman diet is based on the diet that our primal ancestors lived on back before wheat was harvested. The supporters of this revolutionary diet claim that it is as good as any healthy diet, you can find around and it is less complicated to follow. Some of the benefits such as more energy will be noticeable in couple of days. Whereas, other benefits such as weight loss and a leaner physique will be apparent in couple of weeks.
On the whole, paleo diet is an interesting proposition that has apparently delivered results. The best thing about paleo diet is that it has simplified what you can eat and what you have to abstain from. You won’t have to swear off a particular nutrient group for this diet. Here, are other benefits of the paleo diet.
-
Leaner and stronger muscles
As the paleo diet heavily relies on meat, you will be getting decent share of proteins to feed your muscles. The abundance of protein in your dietary intake promotes leaner and stronger muscles. And, in case you have undertaken a weight lifting routine, the paleo diet is arguably one of the best diets you can find around to support and sustain bodybuilding program. Your muscles will get the steady supply of major amino acids that play a key role in repairing micro-tears developed in muscle fibers due to immense physical strain lifting weight often puts. In case, you haven’t noticed, the paleo type diet kept our primal ancestors in best possible physical state. Although their tough and challenging nomadic life played a major role in developing muscles and power, it can’t be ignored that paleo type diet did give them enough energy to meet tough demands of hunting and nomadic lifestyle.
-
Balances blood glucose level
Paleo diet has no refined sugar. And, due to this, you would be able to avoid dreaded spikes in blood glucose levels. Also, paleo diet helps you avoid feelings of fatigue you get from sugar crashes. Of course, if you are already suffering from diabetes, you will have to consult your physician before starting a paleo diet. But, if you are looking to foolproof yourself against getting diabetes any time soon, then the paleo diet is a better option than the regular American diet. Even, if you aren’t concerned about diabetes and just want to have a healthy and fit life, the controlled and regulated blood glucose level is very essential. Too erratic blood glucose levels could lead to shuttling of glucose into cells and storage of glucose in them as fat. So, paleo diet would not only protect you from crippling health problem such as diabetes, but will also assist in keeping obesity at bay as well.
-
Keeps you full for longer
Most weight loss diets work by keeping you hungry. Not only it isn’t ideal for your health, but are extremely difficult to follow because hunger is one of the most difficult things to control. However, the paleo diet doesn’t ask you to starve yourself of any essential nutrients. It focuses on eating as much as your body needs. So, it is very easy to follow. And, if you aren’t in near starvation state, you won’t have to deal with hunger pangs. And, if you don’t have to face dreaded hunger pangs, you won’t have to deal with irresistible temptation to eat sugary and fatty food items.
Also, the paleo diet means eating fair amount of vegetables and fruits along with meat. And, it is a well known fact that vegetables and fruits have high fiber content. The fiber doesn’t has any significant calories and takes more time in breaking down, which means you will feel full for longer period and won’t suffer hunger pangs at wrong time. The research has also found that fiber also activates a friendly bacteria in your gut, which helps in improving your digestion.
-
Avoid Gluten
As paleo diet steps clear of wheat products, you will be able to avoid gluten, which according to the mounting evidence is not so good for your health. Technically, the gluten has two proteins gliadin and glutenin. And, it is gliadin part that is often the cause of some serious problems and other allergies. When gluten reaches the digestive tract and is exposed to the immune system, it mistakenly believes that gluten is a foreign invader like bacteria. In certain people who have gluten allergy, the immune system mounts an attack against it. In those who suffer from acute gluten allergy, the immune system attacks gluten as well as intestinal wall. This could lead to degeneration of intestinal wall and various digestive issues such as anemia and fatigue.
Even, those who aren’t diagnosed with gluten sensitivity, can have adverse reactions to gluten. This has been proved by a study conducted on 34 individuals with irritable bowel syndrome. The study subjects were randomly given either a gluten-containing or a gluten-free diet for a period of six weeks. At the end of the study, it was found that the group on the gluten-containing diet had more pain, bloating, stool inconsistency and fatigue compared to the other group.
-
Simple to follow
Unlike many other healthy diets, you don’t have to count carbs or any other food group, you have consumed. Also, you don’t have to do the complex math every time you sit down to eat. The paleo diet is naturally simple and easy to follow. As, there are no complex rules or limitations placed on your dietary intake, it is more fun to follow. Following a specific diet plan in itself is a big challenge. So, if you have to follow mind numbing rules, your brain will revolt against you and would lead to psychological sabotage of the plan. The human diet should be easy to follow. And, paleo diet is just that.
-
Avoids synthetic chemicals
Cutting processed food out of your diet can help you in avoiding several synthetic chemicals. Most of the synthetic chemicals used in processed food have been created in the last century. And, the body has failed to adapt to many of those chemicals. Most of the processed food items have preservatives, artificial colors, artificial flavors and chemicals used to improve texture of the processed food item. Though, the food manufacturers claim that most of these elements are safe. But, the research says otherwise. For example, the preservatives have been linked to health problems such as cancer, allergic reactions, and more. Preservatives such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are known to affect neurological system of your brain, alter behavior, and have the potential to cause cancer.
However, you might have problem in giving up dairy product and other processed food items. This is partly because such food items have elements that make them addictive. In fact, food items such as Oreo cookies are just as addictive as cocaine or morphine. They activate more neurons in the pleasure centers of brain than illicit drugs do. The potato chips with three bliss-inducing ingredients: sugar (from the potato), salt, and fat are the most addictive food items in the market.
-
Helps you sleep better
The paleo diet promotes clean eating that helps in cutting out the chemicals and additives found in typical food sources. This can help you in falling asleep at the night. This is because the serotonin released by your brain to signal that it is the time to sleep won’t be overpowered by any chemical from food. Also, some of the components of paleo diet have anti-inflammatory properties that assist your body in tackling inflammation, which is one of the key reasons behind temporary insomnia. The fruits such as berries and cherries are the best choice to stop inflammation in its tracks. In a study conducted at Louisiana State University, it was found that drinking tart cherry juice twice a day for two weeks can increase sleep time for older adults by an impressive average of 90 minutes every night.
-
Avoid fast food
In paleo diet, there is no fast food. So, you can’t have your favorite cheese fries. On the positive note, you would be possibly saved from obesity and several other health problems. You don’t have to be a genius or a nutritionist to know that fast food isn’t good for your health. You don’t need results of studies and researches to know that McDonald’s burger with generous amounts of mayonnaise, cheese and beef patty, fried in lots of fat can cause cholesterol and heart problems. It is plain common sense that we often ignore. Within weeks of giving up on all these fast food items, you will feel better and more energetic. And, your heart and waistline will thank you.
-
No empty carbs and calories
Another great thing about paleo diet is that you will have to give up sodas and other sugary beverages. The Stone Age men just drank pure water and look at all the good it did to them. The modern sodas, energy drinks, juices and other beverages have no nutrients of note and are packed with loads of sugar. To make matter worse, the packaging companies load such drinks with preservatives, artificial flavor and other chemicals to improve the flavor and texture. Just cutting out on these empty carb sources could help you in losing weight, feeling better, and having more sustained energy levels through the day with no sugar crashes.
-
Better energy
The paleo diet has the right balance of protein, carb, vegetable and fruit, all derived from natural sources. Such balanced meals give you the right supply of all the necessary nutrients needed to keep you going throughout the day. Also, as you aren’t consuming refined sugar and simple carbohydrates that spike your blood glucose levels, you won’t suffer from the customary mid-afternoon energy crash. Plus, you don’t have to rely on dieting to lose weight or have to cut off carbs or fats from your diet, which means your body will get all the energy it needs. The paleo diet allows you to eat until you are full, so you don’t run the risk of running low on fuel when you really need it.
-
Increased intake of healthy fats
All fat isn’t bad for you. And, not all fats contribute to weight gain and obesity. The simple carb food items such as breads and pasta are even bigger culprits, responsible for fat accumulation. Plus, you need to understand that your body doesn’t differentiate between protein, carbs and fats. All the excessive calories from any food group are stored as fatty acid in your cells. In fact, the healthy fats are very important for your body. The foremost and the biggest importance of consuming healthy fats is that it is very vital for your brain. Along with being a fuel for your brain, the healthy fats are important for the proper functioning of the brain cells as well. Plus, the healthy fats keep you full for longer time. The good source of healthy fats include fish, vegetables and eggs.
-
Better intake of fruits and vegetables
A typical American daily dietary intake has particularly low concentration of fruits and veggies. They are usually included in meals as the side dish, with the sole aim to make meal healthier. However, in the paleo diet, they have a much bigger role than the obligatory side dish. Also, by taking out grains, you are wiping out the base layer of the food pyramid, leaving meat, fruits and vegetables as the primary food items. And, the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables are well documented. They have anti-inflammatory, detox and restorative properties. Also, they are good sources of dietary fiber that along with keeping you full, also regulates your digestive system.
