Diet trends come and go every year. Some last for decades, while others disappear within months. But being new doesn’t make diets a fad, and being popular doesn’t make them healthy. All diets assert that they’re the best–but are they?
It’s time to explore the most popular eating programs of 2020. What do studies have to say about these eating plans? Does cutting carbs help? Does removing meat improve the body? Discover what science has to say about the most popular diets of 2020.
Here are 4 most popular diet of 2020:
1. The DASH diet
The DASH Diet originated from research sponsored by the US National Institutes of Health. The eating plan is designed to lower blood pressure and reduce patients’ reliance on medications. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.
DASH emphasizes low sodium and high fiber. It includes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, legumes, and lean meats. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a few studies have linked the DASH Diet to reduced cholesterol and blood pressure. Others follow the DASH plan to lose weight.
2. The Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean Diet has appeared in dozens of health studies over the past several years. As the name suggests, the diet originates from countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It emphasizes plenty of produce, low amounts of lean protein, and olive oil as its primary fat source.
Because of its long list of scientific backing, the American Heart Association encourages this diet. After analyzing 85 studies, researchers have linked the Mediterranean Diet to a lower risk of heart disease, healthier weight, and longer living. Unlike other diets, it allows people to eat fat and bread.
3. Veganism
Veganism has grown significantly over the years, according to a 2017 report. Unlike vegetarians, vegans exclude all animal products, including eggs, honey, butter, and bone broth. Protein replacements include nut butter, tofu, alternative milk, and legumes.
4. The Keto diet
Despite the popularity of the Keto Diet (short for Ketogenic), it consistently ranks low on the U.S. News list of healthy diets. The eating plan formed as a way for children with epilepsy to experience fewer seizures. Over the past few years, it became a weight loss program for its high-protein, high-fat, and low-carb approach.
Many experts do not recommend Keto because it has many risks, especially if people over-emphasize the low-carb aspect. Kathy MacManus, Harvard’s director of the Department of Nutrition, lists many. It can harm your liver and kidneys with its high fat, result in nutrition deficits, and lead to brain fog.
