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When it comes to weird diets, TikTok is pretty notorious for spreading the word about them – and the latest iteration, the carnivore diet, is no different.
The carnivore diet tag on the video-sharing platform has over a billion views, with followers of the diet dedicating themselves to meals consisting of a lot of meat (both cooked and raw), eggs and lumps of butter.
With some content creators reporting immense fat loss and improved general wellbeing, how healthy is the carnivore diet?
The pros
“The carnivore diet, also known as the all-meat diet or zero-carb diet, is a dietary approach that involves consuming only animal products and excludes all plant-based foods,” says Dr Simon Theobalds, GP at Pall Mall Medical.
Comparable to the no-carb, protein-heavy keto diet, it has the potential to boost some much-needed macronutrients, vitamins and minerals in your diet.
“Red meat is a rich source of complete protein, providing all the essential amino acids the body needs for various functions, including building and repairing tissues,” says Theobalds.
It can also boost iron levels: “Red meat is one of the best dietary sources of heme iron, which is more easily absorbed by the body compared to non-heme iron found in plant-based foods,” he says.
“Iron is essential for transporting oxygen in the blood and supporting energy metabolism.
“Red meat is also an excellent source of vitamin B12, a nutrient mainly found in animal products. Vitamin B12 is essential for nerve function, DNA synthesis, and the formation of red blood cells.”
And it’s a good source of zinc, a mineral Theobalds says plays a vital role in immune function, wound healing, and cellular growth and repair.The cons
So far, so good. But, where does it start to be damaging?
“Red meat, particularly fatty cuts, can be high in saturated fat and cholesterol,” says Theobalds. “Consuming large amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.”
Could an…