Extreme diets rarely inspire trust among doctors, but sometimes they help to view the properties of certain products in a new light.
British doctor Nick Norwitz conducted an unusual experiment. For almost the entire month of October, he ate canned sardines and tracked changes in his body, reported Fox News.
What the Experiment Was About
Over the month, Norwitz consumed about a thousand sardines. He added other foods to his diet only occasionally, but he constantly monitored his weight and blood parameters. The goal was simple — to check how the body would react to a product that many consider "underappreciated."
What Happened to the Man's Body
According to the doctor himself, throughout the experiment, he felt resilient and energetic. Tests showed a high level of omega-3 in his blood — so high that Norwitz jokingly compared himself to dolphins, which naturally have such a high concentration of fatty acids in their bodies.
Moreover, the sardine-based diet helped him enter ketosis — a state in which the body burns fat more actively. Over the month, Nick lost almost 3 kg.
Why He Ate Sardines
Norwitz called sardines the "Swiss Army knife for metabolism." They combine:
- complete protein;
- omega-3 fatty acids;
- B vitamins;
- vitamin D.
This particular set of nutrients, in his opinion, made the product convenient for the experiment.
The experiment went relatively well, but not without problems. The main side effect was a persistent fishy smell. Moreover, mono diets are not suitable for long-term nutrition. Sardines can be a valuable part of the diet, but not its sole foundation.
When a Mono Diet Is Appropriate and When It Is Dangerous
A mono diet can yield quick results, but it is not suitable for everyone. As noted earlier by dietitian Tatyana Zaletova, popular "express diets" are gradually being abandoned today — partly due to their potential harm.
Mono diets in any form are contraindicated for:
- people with weakened immune systems;
- those with iron, vitamin D, and other micronutrient deficiencies;
- during exacerbations of gastrointestinal diseases;
- in cases of severe obesity (body mass index over 30).
Using a mono diet is only permissible for a short time and with a slight weight gain, for example, after a vacation.
