Even a child knows that overeating can lead to serious health problems - in this case, our body consumes more calories than it spends, which leads to the appearance of body fat. But extra pounds, in turn, can lead to dangerous diseases.
But few people know what will happen if a person does not finish eating? At the beginning of the last century, scientists discovered that those animals that ate less lived much longer (by about 30%) than their fellow tribesmen observing the rule "food equals energy."
Does it work in humans?
Unfortunately, due to the constant wars of the last century that hit our planet, scientists have a lot of data on the topic of starvation.
During the First World War, the inhabitants of Copenhagen experienced serious food shortages for 2 years. They ate an order of magnitude less than in normal peacetime. Logically, this should have led to a decrease in the population. But after the end of hostilities, scientists carried out calculations and found out that the mortality rate decreased by only 34%.
During World War II, Norwegians were also limited in food, but at the same time the number of deaths associated with diseases of the circulatory system fell by almost 30%.
The Japanese island of Okinawa, which had five times more centenarians than other countries, also took part in such an "experiment". As it turned out, their traditional diet consisted only of seafood, fruits and salt, contained an order of magnitude fewer calories than food that was consumed in other countries.
But in the 60s, American soldiers brought semi-finished products there, and as a result, the number of centenarians dropped sharply.
How much?
The main thing that scientists say is not to confuse dietary restrictions with malnutrition or radical starvation. According to doctors, the diet can be reduced by no more than 25%. Thus, a person should spend about 70% of the energy than he consumes. A logical question - will a person with such a diet feel normal?
But scientists are sure that if you follow all the rules, the body will begin to use its own resources more efficiently. And here the second rule of a balanced diet begins to work, which includes the consumption of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins.
And for all this to be beneficial, it is very important to adhere to these rules. For example, the participants in the project to create conditions for the starvation of soldiers during the Second World War ate 40% of the food they needed (spent about 3000 calories, consumed 1800). In this case, the condition of the subjects worsened: depression began, severe weakness and edema appeared.
How much energy do we spend and how to understand it?
Laboratory tests are not available to the common man. Therefore, you should start from your own feelings. Just keep track of how much food is required so as not to feel hungry and remove about 20-25%. This will help you achieve a harmonious balance.
And to cut down on your calorie intake, start with carbs first. In addition to the fact that we already use a lot of them, with an excess of glucose, the respiration of cells decreases, which makes them more vulnerable to damage.
But with proteins and fats there is no such problem, but you cannot completely exclude carbohydrates from the diet.
How is fasting related to longevity?
When we expend more calories, the cells lack glucose, as a result they "breathe" and release many reactive oxygen species. And this process, called oxidative, causes damage to our cells.
And this process leads to stress, and if the stress is severe, the cells will die. But if stress is mild, our body mobilizes all resources to deal with it. And at this moment, it produces the antioxidants our body needs, which:
- neutralize oxygen that is dangerous for cells;
- digest proteins, helping to heal damage;
- activate the genes responsible for the longevity of cells.
And later, when cells start to experience stress again, they will be better prepared and better able to resist damage. This means that our body as a whole will react in this way.
Another benefit of cutting back on diet is to reduce the risk of dieting, as cells have better insulin sensitivity. And food restriction "hits" not only healthy, but also diseased cells, destroying them.
What if you can't eat less?
In fact, only your willpower and great desire will help here. There are no other options. But if you want to stay healthy and in great shape, is that much?
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Good health and culinary inspiration :)
Your friend and assistant Vilkin!