Two authors and health consultants Aidan Goggins and Glen Matten, whose focus has always been on healthy eating rather than weight loss, have written a new book, The Sirtfood Diet, in which they lay out a meal plan that includes sirtfood-high dishes. The book was launched yesterday and is available for £8. Interestingly, the authors did not intend to write a weight loss book, as they stress the importance of only fitness and well-being.
The plan actively encourages red wine and chocolate which are both high in sirtuin activators, but they are not sufficient by themselves and should be supplemented by other sirtfoods which include apples, citrus fruits, parsley, capers, blueberries, green tea, soy, strawberries, turmeric, olive oil, red onion, rocket, extra virgin olive oil and kale.
Interestingly, another top Sirtfood is coffee which at times is not recommended by some other diets due to various reasons. According to a news report in Marie Claire countries where people already consume a vast number of sirtfoods include Japan and Italy, which are both regularly ranked among the healthiest countries in the world.
Unlike other diet plans, which are specifically geared towards dramatic and unhealthy weight loss, the Sirtfood Diet is perfect if you simply want to boost your immune system and feel a little healthier; weight-loss is a positive side effect!
Sirt- rich foods regulate biological processes such as aging, cellular death, inflammation and metabolism, and protect cells from dying when they are under stress, says the report in The Independent. Presumably they mimic the effects of fasting and exercise, can increase the speed of weight loss, and counterbalance the effects of junk food. The diet has so far attracted positive attention for its inclusion of red wine, especially pinot noir, dark chocolate that is at least 85 per cent cocoa, and coffee, which is ideally black.
The authors trialled their healthy eating programme full of sirtfoods on 40 gym-goers at the prestigious health club where they both work as consultants in South Kensington, West London. The programme reportedly costs up to £1,475, according to the Evening Standard. Each of the participants lost over 2.5 kgs in seven days and reported higher levels of energy.
However, a study in the Journal of Physiology "showed that excessive consumption of sirtuin-activators could undermine the positive effects of exercise, such as lowered blood pressure and better cholesterol scores, says the report by Independent. Simply put, drink red wine in moderation but also add a reasonable amount of dark chocolate to your diet to remain healthy and possibly lose weight. |