The Paleo Diet has been dubbed the “caveman diet” for a reason: it’s based on the diet that nutritionists think our hunter-gatherer ancestors survived on 10,000 years ago during the Paleolithic period before things like planting grains for bread and domesticating animals for animal products started to get off the ground.

Proponents of the paleo diet maintain that it promotes a holistic approach to health and wellness that our “modern diets” fail to do due to the abundance of high-fat, high-sugar and processed foods. As such, this diet encourages the consumption of nutrient-dense unprocessed foods like seeds, nuts, fruits, fish and shellfish.

Pork, beef and eggs are also allowed provided that the animals had been free-ranging and grass-fed as much as possible. On the other hand, processed animal products and plant-based foods obtained through agriculture are prohibited, such as milk, bread, beans, grains, potatoes and coffee, to name a few.

The health benefits of a paleo diet

Here are 16 health benefits to eating like a caveman:

1. Eliminates processed foods – One of the best things about the paleo diet is it rejects processed foods that are often some of the unhealthiest foods out there. Removing foods like cured meat, fried foods and pastries helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
2. Higher protein intake – People on paleo diet consume a lot more protein than others. For this reason, nutritionists recommend pairing a paleo diet with regular exercise to put those proteins to work.
3. Reduces inflammation – Plant-based foods contain antioxidants that guard against inflammation and cellular damage that can lead to a host of health conditions, from stomach ulcers to dementia. The paleo diet also eliminates some of the major causes of inflammation, such as gluten, sugar and alcohol.
4. Curbs cravings – Fluctuations in blood sugar can make us feel an increased urge to eat despite the actual lack of hunger. The paleo diet helps prevent cravings because of its healthier fats and rich protein content.
5. Promotes a healthier gut – The fiber from raw fruits and vegetables stimulate the proliferation of good gut bacteria that maintain gut health.
6. Improves sleep quality – Better nutrition helps promote better sleep in people on a paleo diet. The lack of caffeine from farmed crops like coffee and tea also lead to better sleep in general.
7. Discourages overeating – The paleo diet is one of the most nutrient-rich diet plans out there. As such, it is quite filling. Between the proteins, monounsaturated fats and fiber, it’s hard to not feel full at the end of each meal.
8. Provides more nutrients – Filler foods like grains and legumes slow the absorption of nutrients. Therefore, eating a diet without these foods leads to better nutrient absorption.
9. Supports mental health – Good food supplies the brain with the nutrients it needs to function well.
10. Promotes a healthier lifestyle – Going on a paleo diet can also encourage disconnecting in all aspects of the word. Take a break from smartphones and laptops and step outside for a minute.
11. Builds leaner muscles – All that protein also helps build leaner muscles without going on forced weight-gain meal plans.
12. Discourages calorie counting – Another great thing about the paleo diet is it isn’t restricted to a certain calorie count. It recognizes that each person has his or her own unique needs. So instead of setting standards and calorie goals, it leaves it all up to the individual. After all, the important thing is to still eat whole, unprocessed foods.
13. Reduces exposure to toxins – Processed foods are chock-full of additives, artificial preservatives and colorings that are just as bad as toxins.
14. Boosts metabolism – The paleo diet encourages eating filling foods that can also be used as fuel to power important cellular processes like digestion and metabolism.
15. Encourages sourcing local foods – You’re better off assuming that most of the foods at the supermarket are processed, even those marked “organic.” Instead of getting foods there, source them from local farmers and grocers instead.
16. Encourages cleaner and healthier habits – For most people, a paleo diet is just the beginning of a lifestyle overhaul that doesn’t stop at nutrition. Soon, you might want to explore other green and sustainable practices like organic gardening.

Paleo diet promotes a more holistic approach to health. It also underscores the importance of going back to nutritious basics that might have once been considered vital parts of our ancestors’ diets. As such, it offers a number of health benefits that aren’t possible to replicate using other diets.

Learn more about the paleo diet and its benefits at Slender.news.

Sources:

EverydayHealth.com

Blog.PaleoHacks.comfs