A new study has found that restricting calories too severely can have dangerous consequences for gut health, especially diets that drastically reduce calories to less than 800 calories per day.
The scientific experiment involved 80 overweight and obese elderly women. Half of them followed a liquid diet with very low calorie content for 16 weeks under the supervision of doctors. The other half ate as usual and served as a control group. Before the beginning and after the end of the study, all participants underwent an analysis of the gut microbiome.
The results showed that there were no significant changes in the control group. However, in women who followed a strict low-calorie diet, a significant imbalance of intestinal bacteria was recorded. Microorganisms adapted to survive in conditions of nutrient deficiency, starting to absorb sugars more actively. This led to an increase in the level of harmful bacteria Clostridioides difficile .
Excessive reproduction of these bacteria can cause dangerous conditions - from diarrhea to severe colitis, which can become chronic even with regular treatment. Scientists warn: by wanting to lose weight quickly, people risk disrupting the functioning of the intestines and developing serious diseases.
Experts emphasize that weight loss should be gradual, maintaining a balance of nutrients and consulting a doctor, and not through extreme diets that deplete the body.
