Research studies on the paleo diet

Last week Healthline.com reviewed and compared five research studies that aimed to uncover how the Paleo Diet can affect our health and wellbeing. Each study focused on either a different aspect or demographic of the population. Although none of these studies are large, or long, enough to give us definitive scientific proof that our beloved diet is truly superior, but they do offer directional evidence that our Paleolithic ancestor’s diet was likely heathier than the average person’s today. Take a gander at the studies and their results below.

1. Lindeberg S, et al. A Paleo diet improves glucose tolerance more than a Mediterranean-like diet in individuals with ischaemic heart disease. Diabetologia, 2007.

The Study: This study followed 29 men, all diagnosed with heart disease and high blood pressure or type two diabetes. Fourteen of the men ate a paleo diet while the other fifteen ate a Mediterranean Diet.

The Results: Both groups of men lost weight. The men on the Paleo Diet however lost more, an average of 11lbs vs. 8.4lbs for the Mediterranean diet group. The Paleo Diet group also saw a larger reduction in their waist size, 2.2 in vs. 1.1 in respectively.

2. Osterdahl M, et al. Effects of a short-term intervention with a paleolithic diet in healthy volunteers.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008.

The Study: This study conducted on fourteen healthy medical students had them eat a strict Paleo Diet for three weeks while their weight and blood pressure were monitored.

The Results: The medical students lost an average of 5lbs, their body mass index declined by 0.8, and waist size decreased on average by 0.6 in.