The fruitarian diet involves eating mostly fruits. Yes, mostly — someone who is on the said diet, called a fruitarian, can also add some nuts and seeds plus a little vegetable. Actually, proponents say that only up to 75 percent of the diet should consist of fruits, and everything that is consumed by a fruitarian should be raw.
Clearly, there are numerous perks to embracing a fruitarian diet. Because fruits do not contain saturated fats and bad cholesterol, it’s quite evident that being a fruitarian can considerably lower your heart disease risk.
Fruitarians say that there are so many perks to the kind of diet they go for. Some examples are:
- Elimination of toxins. Because fruits are packed with water and dietary fiber, having them make up much of the daily diet can help in the removal of waste materials and poisonous substances in the body.
- Increased energy levels. The detoxification of the body plus supplying it with healthy sugars, both by means of a fruitarian diet, can help keep the person feel energetic and lively.
- Better digestion. Since the fruitarian diet is rich in water and dietary fiber, it helps keep digestion in tip-top shape, warding off various problems related to the digestive system.
- A strong immune system. Everyone is well-aware that there are so many fruits that are loaded with vitamin C, a nutrient so important for defending the body against invading disease-causing microbes.
- Delayed aging process. Lots of fruits are rich in antioxidants that help fight off excess free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can damage cells and speed up the process of aging — inside and out.
- Healthy weight reduction. Provided that fruits are consumed in moderation and regular exercise is performed, switching to a fruitarian diet can undeniably help a person lose excess pounds.
- Improved mental functioning. Those who go for the fruitarian diet claim that their minds are clearer and functioning much better, plus depression, anxiety and even insomnia are eliminated naturally.
There are so many other benefits that one can obtain from switching to a fruitarian diet, according to its proponents. It’s not at all surprising why this kind of diet is good for both mind and body, considering the fact that fruits contain all sorts of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for one’s optimal health and functioning.
However, not all nutrients the body requires can be obtained from fruits alone. Due to this, fruitarians also include nuts and seeds, which provide the healthy fats they need. A little vegetable is also added into the everyday diet, provided that they are not cooked as a fruitarian diet also involves eating raw foods.
Because a fruitarian diet does not contain certain nutrients that can be found in other food sources, the said diet is frowned upon by many nutritionists and health professionals. Some of the downsides of it are:
- Increased blood sugar levels. Fruits are naturally rich in sugar, and so consuming them all the time is something that’s bad for those with diabetes and pre-diabetes symptoms.
- Weight gain and food cravings. A diet that’s mainly fruit-based can easily cause weight gain as it can lead to food cravings, leaving you consuming lots of sugar-packed fruits.
- Various nutritional deficiencies. Experts say that a fruitarian diet is lacking in vitamins D and B12, iodine and calcium, and not obtaining these nutrients in good amounts can lead to various health problems.
- Tooth decay. Aside from the fact that fruits are rich in sugar, many of them are acidic and can erode the enamel of the tooth, which can increase a person’s risk of having tooth decay.
- Other health nightmares. The consumption of high amounts of sugar can be damaging to the liver, pancreas and kidneys. It can also increase the blood pressure as sugar promotes inflammation.
