Trendy new diets seem to pop up regularly, and the Sirtfood Diet is one of the latest.
It has become a favorite of celebrities in Europe and is famous for allowing red wine and chocolate.
Its creators insist that it’s not a fad, but rather they claim that “sirtfoods” are the secret to unlocking fat loss and preventing disease.
However, health experts warn that this diet may not live up to the hype and could even be a bad idea.
This article provides an evidence-based review of the Sirtfood Diet and its potential health benefits.
What is the Sirtfood Diet?
Two celebrity nutritionists working for a private gym in the U.K. developed the Sirtfood Diet.
They advertise the diet as a revolutionary new diet and health plan that works by turning on your “skinny gene.”
This diet is based on research on sirtuins (SIRTs), a group of seven proteins found in the body that has been shown to regulate a variety of functions, including metabolism, inflammation and lifespan.
Certain natural plant compounds may be able to increase the level of these proteins in the body, and foods containing them have been dubbed “sirtfoods.”
The list of the “top 20 sirtfoods” provided by the Sirtfood Diet includes:
- kale
- red wine
- strawberries
- onions
- soy
- parsley
- extra virgin olive oil
- dark chocolate (85% cocoa)
- matcha green tea
- buckwheat
- turmeric
- walnuts
- arugula (rocket)
- bird’s eye chili
- lovage
- Medjool dates
- red chicory
- blueberries
- capers
- coffee
The diet combines sirtfoods and calorie restriction, both of which may trigger the body to produce higher levels of sirtuins.
The Sirtfood Diet book includes meal plans and recipes to follow, but there are plenty of other Sirtfood Diet recipe books available.
The diet’s creators claim that following the Sirtfood Diet will lead to rapid weight loss, all while maintaining muscle mass and protecting you from chronic disease.
Once you have completed the diet, you’re encouraged to continue including sirtfoods and the diet’s signature green juice into your regular diet.
Summary: The Sirtfood Diet is based on research on sirtuins, a group of proteins that regulate several functions in the body. Certain foods called sirtfoods may cause the body to produce more of these proteins.
Is It Effective?
The authors of the Sirtfood Diet make bold claims, including that the diet can supercharge weight loss, turn on your “skinny gene,” and prevent diseases.
The problem is there isn’t much proof to back these claims.
So far, there’s no convincing evidence that the Sirtfood Diet has a more beneficial effect on weight loss than any other calorie-restricted diet.
And although many of these foods have healthful properties, there have not been any long-term human studies to determine whether eating a diet rich in sirtfoods has any tangible health benefits.
Read the full article here.
