6 science-backed reasons why you shouldn’t go on a diet

While many believe in the idea of dieting for weight loss, experts claim that it can actually take a heavy toll on people’s health and mental well-being.

Choosing to go on a diet may have its pros, but it may not be devoid of harmful and dangerous side effects.

Whether you’re on an intermittent fasting or a low-carb diet, limiting a certain level of calories or cutting down on your carb and fat intake may affect your health negatively in the long run.

That said, here are science-backed reasons why you shouldn’t resort to a diet.

1. Decrease in muscle mass
Research has shown that extensive diets can actually lead to weight gain and decrease in muscle mass. According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 32 non-obese men, when stripped off of their calorie-intake by an average of 1,300 for a three weeks, gained weight and experienced a drop in their muscle mass content.

2. Increase in the level of exhaustion
Eating less food will only incapacitate your body of its ability to burn energy, leading to fatigue and exhaustion. while it is a known fact, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that a low-carb diet makes your body prone to an elevated feeling of fatigue and tiredness. Therefore, cutting off carbs entirely from your diet can be harmful. However, you can indulge in foods that are rich in complex or good carbs. This will give your body the energy to function efficiently.

3. Lingering weakness
Besides feeling exhausted and tired, going on a diet may make you weak and sick in the long run. As per experts at the Harvard Medical School, long periods of fasting may induce “headaches, lethargy, crankiness, and constipation” in people. Therefore, they recommend “alternate-day fasting” to “periodic fasting”.

4. Lack of essential nutrients in the body
Going on a diet may deprive your body of essential nutrients and vitamins. While dieting usually demands lower intake of carbs, fats and calories, it may reduce the amount of good nutrients like fibre, omega-3 fatty acids that come along with the foods. Experts suggest portion control in such a situation. That means eating less but something of everything.

5. You may experience hair loss
According to experts, low-calorie diets are linked to heavy loss of hair. As per a study published in the journal Dermatology Practical & Conceptual, lack of proper nutrition weakens your hair follicles and disallows them to produce more hair. One of the researchers writes, “Nutritional deficiency may impact both hair structure and hair growth.” This is why it is important to incorporate rich foods in your diet.

6. You may develop an eating disorder
While dieting for weight loss begins on a good note, it may lead to unstable eating habits in the long run. According to the International Journal of Eating Disorders, “35% of ‘normal dieters’ may become pathological dieters, and more than 20% are more likely to develop an eating disorder.