Health Benefits of Going Paleo
When you think “caveman”, what comes to mind? Is it a hairy, unshaven man grunting in front of a fire with a half-naked woman serving him roasted meat? If so, then you’ve been influenced by the popular media. For the longest time, the common conception of the Paleolithic has been that of a savage hunter-gatherer who ate almost nothing but meat and fish. In other words, this diet was limited to mostly red meat and fish with no carbohydrates from plants or natural sugars from fruits. Clearly, no one would be able to maintain such a diet for long! In recent years, however, as more and more research has come to light about our ancestors (and not just modern hunter-gatherers), this misconception has become less credible.
While we cannot know exactly what our Paleolithic ancestors ate with absolute certainty (no written records have been discovered), there is now compelling evidence that they were neither predominantly carnivorous nor vegan. Rather than eat only meat and fish with no plant foods whatsoever, it is now thought that they consumed a wider variety of foods in smaller quantities: leaner meats, tubers like yams and plantains, fruit and nuts – as well as mushrooms (a type of fungus which is actually not related to plants). In addition to these general recommendations about nutritional balance, there are also indications that they used specific herbs or spices as condiments or preservatives.
1. Lose Weight and Reduce Inflammation
Let’s start with an important one – weight loss and inflammation reduction. This is possibly the best-known benefit of the Paleo Diet and one that’s scientifically proven. The Paleo Diet is low in inflammatory foods like grains, legumes, and dairy, and high in anti-inflammatory foods like vegetables and meat. This means that those who follow it have been shown to experience a significant reduction in overall inflammation in their bodies – which can result in less joint pain, better skin quality, and improved sleep. This may sound like a small health benefit, but if you experience these issues on a daily basis, they become huge!
2. Help You Sleep Better
Another great health benefit of going Paleo is a better night’s sleep. For instance, those who consume fermented foods (which are part of a Paleo Diet) have been found to have a more consistent level of melatonin in the body – the chemical that helps regulate our sleep and wake cycles. A Paleo Diet can also be more helpful for those who suffer from sleep apnea or insomnia since it’s low in dairy and high in magnesium. This can help to reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of sleep disturbance and improve the quality of sleep. The best part? You don’t even need to go out and buy any expensive sleep aids just follow a Paleo Diet, and you might find it easier to drift off to dreamland!
3. Increase Your Energy and Focus
If you’re looking for more energy and focus, you may want to consider going Paleo. A Paleo Diet can help you to avoid brain fog and boost your mood, along with your energy levels and overall productivity. For instance, studies have shown that a Paleo Diet can help significantly reduce inflammatory cytokines in the brain – which have been linked to fatigue, mood disorders, and cognitive decline. In fact, it’s been suggested that those who follow a Paleo Diet have higher levels of key neurotransmitters like dopamine (associated with motivation and focus) and serotonin (linked to a positive mood and relaxation).
4. Help You Build Muscle and Endurance
A Paleo Diet can be really helpful for those looking to build muscle and endurance. Although various high-protein diets have been linked to an increased risk of kidney disease and kidney stones, a Paleo Diet is high in potassium (which helps to lower this risk). Moreover, Paleo Diets are generally lower in calories, since they’re high in fiber and contain a significant amount of protein. This can help to reduce fat and build lean muscle.
5. Improve Digestion and Elimination
As a Paleo Diet is rich in fiber, it promotes a healthier digestive system and can reduce constipation. Healthy bacteria are essential to a healthy digestive system and immune system. A Paleo Diet can help to keep your gut bacteria happy and healthy. It contains natural prebiotics (soluble fiber) that can help promote the growth of these bacteria and improve your overall digestion. A Paleo Diet is also higher in protein than a typical Western diet, which means that you may find that you ‘go’ more frequently. This is a good thing for your bowels – but only if you make sure that you drink lots of water regularly.
6. Provide Protection from Disease
Finally, going Paleo can also provide you with protection from disease – including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders. This is mainly due to the fact that a Paleo Diet is lower in sugar and refined carbohydrates (which can cause insulin spikes) and higher in fiber (which can slow down the digestion process). This can help to reduce your risk of developing conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
7. Enhance Psychological Health
The Paleo Diet can also enhance your psychological health. This may be because it’s low in processed foods and refined sugars, which can reduce anxiety and improve mood. In fact, going Paleo has also been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. A Paleo Diet is high in vitamins and minerals that have been shown to help with mental health, including B vitamins (which help to produce serotonin, the ‘feel-good chemical), magnesium, copper, and vitamin D.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the Paleo Diet is one of the healthiest ways to eat, as long as it’s followed correctly. It’s important to remember that it’s not designed to be a ‘diet’ in the sense of being temporary, but rather a lifestyle change. The good news is that it’s not as difficult as you might think. Most of us are already eating Paleo food, just not in the right amounts. When you follow the Paleo Diet, you’re likely to feel better, look better, and have more energy. Plus, you’ll also be doing your body a big favor by reducing the risk of disease and improving your overall health.