Many people tend to follow extreme diets they come across on the Internet without consulting an expert or fully understanding the downsides. Highlighting one such concerning incident, a netizen shared that she lost a friend who followed a one-month-only fruit diet in an attempt to lose weight. “I understand wanting to lose weight and trying to look a certain way, please don’t die while doing it. Lost a family friend last year; she was on a fruit diet for a month,” she recollected.
“One morning, she woke up and was extremely thirsty. She couldn’t stop drinking water because her body was extremely dehydrated. She died that day,” the user added.
Taking a cue from the tragic incident, we reached out to experts to understand the gravity of such diets for weight loss.
Dr Birali Swetha, chief dietician, Gleneagles Aware Hospital, LB Nagar, Hyderabadsaid that such incidences are a tragic reminder of the risks associated with unbalanced nutritional choices.
A fruit-only diet may seem healthy to some as it only includes eating fruits that are packed with essential nutrientsbut completely relying on them for an extended period can cause harm to the body, experts asserted.
“One must understand that fruits lack nutrients like proteins and fats, which are needed for muscle strength, energy levels, and overall physical well-being. There are various side effects of being on an extreme fruit diet for a month or more. This can include severe weakness, fatigue, muscle loss, low immunity, and even organ damage over time,” said Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant, internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai.
Concurring, Simmi Shah, HOD/consultant-dietetics, Jupiter Hospital, Thane, mentioned that while fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibre, they lack essential macronutrients like protein, iron, calcium, vitamin D, and most B vitamins, especially B12. “This deficiency can result in anemia, weakened bones, and compromised immune function,” said Shah.
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Do not try unsustainable methods of weight loss (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Moreover, the high sugar content in certain fruits, when eaten daily, can cause sugar spikes and crashes, said Dr Agarwal. “This can further lead to drastic mood swings and dizziness. While fruits are an important part of your diet, they cannot provide everything your body needs to function properly,” said Dr Agarwal.
Shah said that excessive fibre intake can also lead to digestive discomfort, including bloating and frequent bowel movements.
Additionally, extreme diets can affect mental health, leading to anxiety, fatigue, and disordered eating patterns, stressed Dr Birali. “Rapid weight loss through unsustainable methods also increases the risk of electrolyte imbalances and cardiac complications, which can be fatal. Weight loss should never come at the cost of basic health,” said Dr Birali.
Experts advise that a “balanced, medically supervised approach” is always safer and more sustainable than extreme, restrictive diets.
People should focus more on eating healthy and well-balanced meals that include plenty of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, lentils, and legumes.
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“Always consult your doctor before making any drastic changes in your daily diet. One should also focus on exercising, eating in small portions, staying hydrated, and avoiding junk foods for weight loss,” said Dr Agarwal.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.