What does scientific evidence say about the paleo diet?
The promotion of certain eating patterns as a way to improve overall health is very common. In recent years, an eating pattern called the
Despite the popularity of the paleo diet, many researchers and healthcare professionals argue that it is not necessarily the best diet to benefit overall health. In fact, some believe that it may be harmful.
In this Honest Nutrition feature, we dig a little deeper into the research behind the paleo diet to uncover its potential health benefits. We also discuss the risks that may come with following a paleo diet.
What is a paleo diet?
A paleo diet, also known as the stone age diet or caveman diet, is an eating pattern that aims to mirror the way hunter-gatherers ate thousands of years ago.
People who follow a paleo diet eat large quantities of meat, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds but restrict legumes, dairy, and grains.
Foods and beverages that a person following a paleo diet will frequently consume include:
- meat, with an emphasis on meat from wild game or grass-fed animals
- fish
- eggs
- water
- herbal tea
- fruit
- herbs and spices
- nuts
- seeds
- healthy oils, such as walnut or olive oil
Foods that a person following a paleo diet will often avoid include:
- dairy products
- refined sugar
- salt
- legumes, which include beans, peanuts, and peas
- artificial ingredients
- processed foods
- soft drinks
- grains, including rice, wheat, and oats
- potatoes
One of the most common misconceptions about the paleo diet is that our ancestors primarily survived on a meat-based diet.
As we learn more about the Paleolithic age, we are discovering that those who lived during it ate a plant-based diet, with merely an estimated
What are the alleged benefits of a paleo diet?
Supporters of the paleo diet believe that the change from a hunter-gatherer style diet to an agricultural diet has increased the worldwide prevalence of chronic diseases, including heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
They believe that the human body is not genetically equipped to consume the modern day foods that farming practices have introduced. As a result, they think that our overall health will improve by following a diet similar to that of our ancestors.
The claimed benefits of a paleo diet include:
- improved cholesterol
- reduced blood pressure
- improved glycemic control
- reduced waist circumference and weight loss
- improved satiety
- improved gut health
- reduced all-cause mortality
Shifting from a Western diet rich in processed, sodium-rich foods to a paleo diet will lead to the inclusion of more fresh fruits and vegetables, which can undoubtedly benefit overall health.
Many people also report improvements in inflammation, focus, and sleep. They also report weight loss, which is likely due to eating more whole foods while cutting out major food groups.
Although the paleo diet has the potential to be healthy, is it necessary to restrict grains, legumes, and dairy to see health benefits?
Let us discuss how the paleo diet stacks up scientifically.
What does science say about these claims?
Several breakthroughs in science and research have allowed us to explore further the potential benefits of the paleo diet to determine whether it should become a diet that healthcare professionals routinely recommend.
A
The researchers found that Paleolithic nutrition led to more significant short-term improvements in the following areas compared with the control diet:
- waist circumference
- triglyceride levels
- blood pressure
- levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good,” cholesterol
- fasting blood sugar
A study published in the
The study found a mean weight loss of 3.52 kilograms plus a decreased waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) in those who followed a Paleolithic diet compared with those eating other commonly recommended diets.
The researchers behind this study suggest that following a paleo diet may reduce the risk of chronic diseases, as having excess body weight is one of the main risk factors for their development.
Is the paleo diet better than other diets?
One study published in the
The study found that those who followed a paleo or Mediterranean diet had reduced all-cause mortality, lower oxidative stress, and decreased mortality from heart disease and cancer.
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They found that those who followed the paleo diet did not experience any significant improvements in fasting glucose, insulin levels, or HbA1c levels compared with those following the other diet types. The study authors conclude that the paleo diet is not superior to other nutritious diets in people with altered glucose metabolism.
Additionally, a study featuring in the journal Nutrition in January 2020 looked into the effectiveness of different diets, including the paleo diet and intermittent fasting.
Its authors found that, to date, there is no one specific diet that can effectively support weight loss in all individuals. They concluded that the best diet for weight loss consists of a negative energy balance while focusing on food quality.
The risks of following a paleo diet
Cutting out certain food groups may improve some health markers and lead to weight loss, but it can also result in nutrient deficiencies and increase the risk of long-term health consequences.
For example, a paleo diet restricts dairy products, which are high in calcium and vitamin D, two nutrients essential for bone health. A deficiency in these nutrients
This diet also cuts out beans and legumes. Beans are a great source of minerals, fiber, and plant-based protein. They also can help
What is more, many people who follow a paleo diet claim that it promotes gut health, but new research says otherwise.
Some studies suggest that those who follow a paleo diet have different gut microbiota and higher levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a compound tied to cardiovascular disease.
This research reinforces the current dietary recommendations of including foods high in fiber and whole grains to maintain cardiovascular function and gut health.
Those who take a modern-style approach to the paleo diet often use it as an excuse to overeat meat. Eating more than the recommended servings of meat, specifically red meat, daily can lead to chronic disease.
Excess protein intake from any animal source increases the body’s production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Raised IGF-1 levels and high dietary protein intake can lead to an
The paleo diet is also typically very high in saturated fat. According to the
A person should aim to eat a maximum of 12–18 ounces (approximately 350–500 grams) of red meat each week. Those with existing heart conditions should limit red meat consumption to less than this amount.
According to an article in the Australian Family Physician, the paleo diet is overhyped and under-researched. The author calls for more long-term studies to continue to weigh the benefits and risks of this dietary pattern.
However, the paleo eating pattern can be difficult to adhere to fully in the long term, making it difficult to form more conclusive recommendations.
Summary
Unless a person has a health condition that requires them to restrict a specific food group, there is no scientific evidence to show that the paleo diet is superior to other well-known diets, such as the Mediterranean diet.
Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains allow for more variety, are more sustainable, and are scientifically proven to provide health benefits.
It is possible to get in all of the necessary nutrients from the permitted foods on the paleo diet, but it can be challenging. For instance, people will need to focus on getting calcium from nondairy sources, such as dark green, leafy vegetables.
Anyone who is considering changing their diet should speak with a doctor or registered dietitian beforehand.
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