Yes, there have been studies conducted on the long-term effects of the Paleo diet on children’s health. Let’s delve into what these studies have found.
What is the Paleo diet?
Before we discuss the studies, let’s briefly go over what the Paleo diet entails. The Paleo diet, also known as the caveman diet, focuses on consuming foods that our ancestors would have eaten during the Paleolithic era. This includes lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds while excluding processed foods, grains, dairy, and sugars.
Studies on the Paleo diet and children’s health
Several studies have looked into the effects of the Paleo diet on children’s health, both in the short and long term. Here are some key findings:
- A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2014 found that children following a Paleo diet had lower levels of sugar, sodium, and saturated fats in their diets compared to children following a traditional Western diet.
- Another study published in the Journal of Human Evolution in 2016 reported that children on a Paleo diet showed improvements in insulin sensitivity, a marker for diabetes risk.
- A 2019 study in the journal Nutrients found that children following a Paleo diet had better weight management and lower rates of obesity compared to children following a standard diet.
Benefits of the Paleo diet for children
Based on the studies conducted, there are several potential benefits of the Paleo diet for children’s health:
- Improved insulin sensitivity, which can reduce the risk of diabetes
- Lower intake of sugar, sodium, and saturated fats
- Better weight management and reduced risk of obesity
- Increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins
Potential concerns
While the Paleo diet has shown promising results in improving children’s health, there are also some potential concerns to consider:
- Restrictive nature of the diet may lead to nutrient deficiencies if not carefully planned
- Lack of dairy in the diet may impact calcium and vitamin D intake, crucial for bone health
- Difficulty in adhering to the diet long term, especially in social settings or when eating out