For some people, choking on a day's worth of vegetables is bad enough, but what happens when you eat 30 different vegetables a week?
Well, that's exactly what the diet trend is. take the internet by stormas health-conscious users try to cut out different plants in a week.
The 30 Plant Diet, developed by Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College, London, is modeled on the following results: A 2018 study found that People who ate 30 or more types of plants per week were more likely to have “good” bacteria in their guts.
Spector, who led the UK-based study, believes a healthy gut boosts immunity and helps improve overall health.
“We believe that the diversity of gut microbes brings a variety of chemicals, leading to a healthier immune system and better metabolism,” Spector said. guardian.
“I think the way we think about food will change as people start to realize that there is a connection between the food we eat, our microbes, and our immune systems. It's not just about fuel; it's about our bodies. We’re really changing the way things work.”
The so-called “challenges” that TikTokers are participating in aren't just limited to vegetables and fruits. Legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, and certain herbs and spices are also important, as are coffee and chocolate. After all, they come from plants.
Professor Gunther Kuhnle, from the University of Reading, told the Daily Mail that while there would be no harm in trying to consume 30 different plants every week, there was also “reliable evidence” against it.
Kuhnle said there isn't enough data on the exact combinations and dosages of the plant's “bioactive compounds” (components thought to have specific health-improving properties) to be effective.
“It's already recommended to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, so '30 a week' is in some ways just trying to add a number to that (and the recommended five a day). “,” he explained.
“I don't think it's harmful, but I don't think it's any more beneficial than reducing the variety of plant foods you eat each day.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans already fall short of the recommended minimum intake of five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Only 1 in 10 meet the requirements –It might be difficult to prepare 30 different types.
“If you make the tasks more difficult (30 per week instead of 5 per day), people are more likely to fail and may give up completely,” Kuhnle says.
And, of course, there's also the issue of affordability and accessibility.
Dr. Duane Mellor, a nutritionist at Aston University, says, “As people focus on different types of fresh fruits and vegetables, this can be very expensive, difficult to incorporate into their diets, and create a balanced overall diet.'' It can become very difficult to eat a healthy diet,” he told the Daily Mail.
Kim Pearson, a London-based nutritionist, added that focusing too much on plants can lead to “nutrient deficiencies”. The ideal diet includes a variety of proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
“Vegetables alone do not provide optimal amounts of all essential nutrients,” she told the Daily Mail.
“Vegetables are an important part of a balanced diet for most people, but they aren't everything.”
