Scientists have named the main danger of a low-calorie diet

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To lose weight, you will have to reduce the number of calories you consume. But extreme cuts can be fraught with unpleasant consequences. In particular, intestinal problems. A new study came to this conclusion.

Scientists studied 80 elderly women whose weight ranged from slightly overweight to severely obese. For 16 weeks, half of the participants followed a liquid diet under medical supervision, the caloric content of which did not exceed 800 calories per day. The other half ate as before and became the control group.

Before and after the study period, all participants had their gut microbiome analyzed. No changes were detected in the control group at the end of the study. However, in the group sitting on a low-calorie diet, they occurred.

Scientists note that the bacteria have adapted to absorb large amounts of sugars in order to survive. This caused an imbalance in the types of bacteria with an increase in harmful Clostridoides difficile. Their excessive amount in the body can cause diarrhea and colitis. Diseases can become chronic even with regular treatment.