This article will elaborate on some of the more popular diets out there, illustrate how CBD works with the ECS to indirectly affect your appetite and even discuss how mood and appetite are more closely linked than you might think. The aim of this article is to look at the pros and cons of each popular diet, to encourage you to consider what makes a diet ‘balanced’. Despite the many fads, trends and dietary myths, we hope to debunk some popular-help beliefs and look at diet and nutrition in a compassionate, and non-restrictive way. With some added insight into making your nutritional palette a little more balanced, some information about how a daily intake of CBD might encourage a healthier palette and some facts on how a happier, balanced mindset (with CBD) can promote healthier eating habits without upsetting the balance of the Endocannabinoid System, this article hopes to educate, inform and reassure a wide range of people!
There’s plenty of scattered information on diets out there, just as there’s plenty of scattered information about CBD. And the two have often been closely discussed- since CBD, also known as cannabidiol, tends to have a positive impact on the way the body works by helping to modulate mood and appetite, it can be a useful supplement to keep us on track with our healthy eating habits. As it so happens both mood and appetite are incredibly important when looking at nutrition and diet. Appetite seems obvious enough- we need to find supplements which complement our dietary habits, allowing us to feel balanced, full and energised without suppressing appetite in an unhealthy way or raising metabolism to such a high degree that we end up binge eating to compensate. A regular dosage of CBD allows us to keep our appetites steady- its purpose is to modulate and regulate, promoting balance. And this sense of balance tends to infuse into our mood.
But first, what are some of the more popular diets out there? And do they work?
A ‘Healthy Diet’
The word ‘diet’ is often misconstrued as a fad meant to keep us either skinny and miserable or guilty for enjoying foods high in sugar and fat. In reality, the word ‘diet’ has a humble origin: it translated to the food that we eat on a daily basis. We can have a diet rich in saturated fats or a diet extremely low in calories- either of these are still defined as a diet. And it’s up to you what foods you choose to eat, restrict or limit in your diet.
Often, there’s no two ways about it: the type of diet best for you is often personal. It depends on your body type, what foods give you energy and what balance means to you. At Alphagreen, we prioritise health and wellness first of all- so we will never recommend limiting yourself in any way. For us, diets are just another definition of mindful eating- a healthy relationship with food means that it’s out there for us to try and enjoy, but nothing should be eaten in excess on a regular basis. Everything in balance and moderation is our motto; and anything more complicated than that should be talked over with by a professional dietician.
But for many, who want to make a personal ambition out of fitting a certain weight or keeping fit and healthy, specialised diets are the way to go. The ones we recommend in this article are heavily researched, typically healthy and tend to provide effective results. But before embarking on any diet, it’s important to check what’s right for your body, what makes you feel good and energised, and, most important, never to compare yourself to anyone. No matter what your body type is, you’re beautiful. And since studies have shown that your weight doesn’t directly correspond to how healthy you are, we think it’s safe to say that you don’t have to embark on a complicated, calorie-counting diet unless you really want to. Mostly, if you do choose to embark on a new diet, it’s important to still listen to your body’s needs and try to eat as intuitively as possible.
Ketogenic
A keto diet is a low carb, high fat diet. Aside from helping to lose weight, studies tell us that this diet is healthy for a number of reasons. For one, because is significantly reduces LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol especially in people who naturally gravitate towards high cholesterol levels or are overweight/obese. It also raises HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol- HDLs, or ‘good cholesterol’, are beneficial for you because they carry LDLs to the liver for breakdown. Without HDLs, LDLs are left to build up in the arterial walls, preventing blood, with all its nutrients and oxygen, from reaching vital organs. When blood can’t reach the heart or brain, it leads to heart disease or stroke- these are often caused by a buildup of LDLs in the arterial walls . Keto is also responsible for lowering blood sugar levels, preventing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and also lowers the levels of triglycerides which can be harmful when left to build up, causing something known as hypertriglyceridemia. There’s nothing wrong with a few triglycerides to keep our energy levels high. You might have heard of building up calories- these are what triglycerides do. Research tells us we want to be keeping triglyceride levels at around 150 milligrams per deciliter.
Since a keto diet is just a diet low carbs, it’s pretty flexible with the rest of the food groups. The principles of keto rely on keeping the diet 75% healthy fats, 20% protein and 5% carbohydrates. Here’s some the the more nutritional foods which are prioritised in a keto diet:
Seafood- fish and shellfish are often recommended for keto dieters, which is great news since seafood such as salmon, musselfs, sushi, squid, prawns and so forth contain selenium, potassium and B vitamins in varying degrees of abundance. Selenium, especially, is a valuable mineral. Research shows that a diet with more selenium can uplift the mood, improve cognition and help by quickening metabolism. Alongside this, the American Heart Association recommends eating seafood once to twice a week for a healthy heart. Fish and seafood tends to contain high levels of essential omega-3 fatty acids which are vital for a healthy heart, keeping immunity and energy levels up, keeping the skin clear and glowing and can also boost cognition, keep you alert and uplift the mood.
Vegetables- In particular, non-starchy vegetables (so no yams or potatoes) are absolutely encouraged in a keto diet. Since most vegetables are high in fibre (keeping the gut clean and healthy), tend to contain a wide range of nutritional vitamins as well as plenty of antioxidants. Green vegetables, like spinach and broccoli also oftentimes contain high levels of iron and folate- perfect to improve blood oxygenation, circulation, colouring and overall maintaining high energy levels. Since vegetables can be adapted and infused into a wide range of recipes, can substitute red meats, provide colour and can be chopped, seasoned and snacked on, it’s hard to give a reason not to eat them.
White Meat- meat and poultry is also encouraged- for high levels of protein to provide all that energy, B vitamins and some other nutrient-dense minerals. Since carbs do provide a lot of energy, substituting with meat (or even fibrous, protein-rich pulses and nuts with plenty of bulk, such as lentils or chickpeas, if you’re a vegetarian) is necessary to keep you satiated for longer. White meat has also been connected to good cholesterol and may provide some antioxidants. Keep your meat high quality and organic if you can.
Keto also allows for nuts and eggs and greek yoghurt (all great sources of protein), berries, dark chocolate and olives (to keep your sugar cravings level- also both olives and dark chocolate are full of beneficial antioxidants), and low carb alternatives to regular staple foods like zucchini or shirataki noodles. These low carb versions are particularly beneficial for those who find themselves craving carbs- they let you make all the dishes you miss, with a keto-friendly twist.
We recommend the keto diet for those who want a safe, flexible diet to lower cholesterol levels and aid their weight loss journey.
Vegan
A vegan diet is often purely plant-based- so no dairy and no animal products (including honey, eggs, chocolate and cheese). Since vegan diets are often rooted in moral and environmental concerns, those who choose to become vegan do so as a lifestyle- so many vegans won’t wear leather, fur or cosmetics which have a background of animal cruelty.
Diet-wise, veganism is pretty healthy– when done correctly, with the right range of foods to ensure that the correct amount of calories are going into the body, the vegan diet has shown to significantly improve heart health, lower LDL cholesterol and reduce chances of cancer and diabetes. Because of the emphasis on plant-based ingredients, research has shown that a balanced vegan diet, with the right range of plant-based nutrients, contains more antioxidants, vitamins C and B and might even help to improve cognition in the brain.
A vegan diet cuts out any animal-based products and replaces them with plant products.
Fruits and Vegetables- These are high on the vegan diet. Fruits and vegetables contain high levels of antioxidants, natural sugars, vitamins and minerals. Green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and cabbage are also essential to keep calcium levels up and a hefty portion of soya (solid or in drink form) and unfortified cereal is recommended to keep B-12 levels high.
Plant/Nut Milk- Since the vegan diet is lacking in any kind of dairy, alternative milks like oat, hemp, hazelnut, cashew, almond or soya are recommended. They’re often infused with dairy, protein and, according to the type of milk, are typically high in fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Beans, Nuts and Pulses- For protein and fibre, beans, nuts and pulses (think: all types of raw nuts, chia, lentils, chickpeas, broad beans, green beads, red kidney beans and so forth) are essential to keep energy high, the gut nice and healthy and muscles strong. Since no meat or dairy product is allowed, a vegan diet must compensate for the dip in protein. Walnuts are an essential source of omega-3 fatty acids, which vegans don’t get due to not eating any seafood. Since dieticians recommend fatty acids are essential nutrients, it’s important for vegans to substitute what they’re missing in their diet with nuts and beans, which are substantial, full of nutrients and satisfying.
Oils- Since a vegan diet is devoid of omega-3 fatty acid, which is essential for a lot of things, from cognition to heart health, vegans are urged to cook their meals in flaxseed oil, soya oil, or rapeseed oil (also, these oils can be drizzled on a salad).
We definitely recommend a vegan diet if you want to help the environment while cutting dairy and meat out of your life. It’s important to keep protein and B-12 levels as high as possible, however. A diet rich in nuts, vegetables, pulses, beans and soya is essential for a good protein intake. Zinc, B-12, vitamin D, calcium and iron nutritional supplements are highly recommended to compensate for the few elements missing in a vegan diet. Vegan protein powder is also a great way to get energy levels going in the morning.
The raw food diet is pretty similar to the vegan diet- except many scientists recommend staying clear of this diet as a long-term thing. This is because many researchers do claim that the raw food diet can’t supply the right calories to sustain a person for too long- and articles elaborate on this, stating clearly to the general public that a raw food diet is an overhyped fad, sustained for so long by misguided beliefs that eating raw and unprocessed fruit and vegetables means that natural enzymes are retained and not destroyed by cooking heat. The raw food movement also claims that toxins are released when we cook food. In truth, many health experts state that this simply isn’t true. But before we begin, let’s actually look at what a raw food diet contains:
Fresh Fruits/ Vegetables- Basically any vegetable or fruit that’s not been cooked.
Nuts/ Grains/ Nut milks- Again, as long as it isn’t exposed to heat, nut milks are good to drink for extra protein and calcium throughout the day. Although nuts do contain some measure of protein within them, it’s hard to get your daily nutritional intake of protein with these, alone.
Raw Eggs/ Raw Meat- This one’s a little tricky. Since a raw food diet is one which allows only raw foods then raw eggs and meat can be eaten. Of course, in most cases, raw eggs and meat are unsafe to consume without thoroughly cooking. Unless it’s something like sushi or salmon which is safe to eat raw, meat and eggs, eaten uncooked, can contain harmful microbes such as Campylobacter and Salmonella which can make you seriously ill. Most raw food diets leave out the meat for this reason, making it a tricky diet to follow, as you can’t get all your protein content from vegetables, fruits and nuts. Since a lot of protein-rich beans need to be cooked for digestibility (and as the poisonous glycoprotein, lectin is present in all raw beans including lentils, kidney beans and chickpeas) eating raw or even undercooked beans is strongly discouraged.
It is true that raw vegetables tend to contain all their nutrients, which does get lost in the cooking process- but this decrease isn’t as much as the raw food movement might have you believe. Take tomatoes, for example- the staple ingredient in many dishes, from any type of pasta to a rich and fragrant curry. We can rest assured that, not only does the vitamin C content in cooked tomatoes only decrease by a maximum of 29% (within the span of 30 minutes) but studies have also shown that cooked tomatoes release a powerful antioxidant known as cis-lycopene- the levels of this antioxidant rise by 35%. This is an extremely beneficial trade off, since we get a lot of our vitamin C in a normal, balanced diet- many fruits, salads and even the chillies we garnish contain vitamin C. But, we are told, lycopene is less common in our diet.
Likewise, when it comes to the rest of the vegetables, from broccoli, peppers, spinach, brussel sprouts, carrots and more, studies actually tell us that steaming is the way to go, as vegetables release more antioxidants when cooked. Not just reserved for vegetables, cooking meat doesn’t diminish the protein content, and cooking eggs actually allows more protein to be better absorbed by the body- without any chance of harmful microbes sitting on raw meat and eggs to enter the system.
Typically, those who follow a raw food diet on a long term basis tend to suffer from nutritional deficiencies. A study shows that 70% of women on raw food diets suffered from menstrual irregularities of which 30% got amenorrhea (when the menstrual cycle ceases altogether). Likewise, a pure raw food vegan diet is also linked to low fertility levels due to lack of calories, tooth decay due to an excess of acidic fruits, weak muscles and bones due to low levels of vitamin D and calcium, and extreme nutrient deficiencies.
So, we don’t recommend this diet- especially not on a sustained and long-term level. However, the raw food diet does draw on some useful nutritional statistics, such as infusing more fresh fruit in the diet to increase vitamin C, fibre and antioxidant levels or consuming more nuts for protein and healthy fat content. Likewise, eating more whole grains can improve heart health and steaming, frying or boiling raw vegetables on low heat for less time can preserve the nutritional integrity of a dish. Raw fish such as sushi, nilgiri and sashimi with seaweed can also be extremely beneficial to the diet, supplying a beneficial cocktail of omega-3, antioxidants, protein, magnesium, iron, iodine and so much more.
We recommend taking aspects and features of this diet that make sense to you and applying accordingly- fresh fruit as a dessert or wholegrains for breakfast can make a great addition to a diet. Make sure that everything is eaten in balance and modulation. Most of all, remember that there’s serious benefits to cooking your food- from enjoying something hot and restorative to killing those harmful microbes.
Paleo
Named after the Paleothilic era, this diet is based around a diet led by those hunters and gatherers who lived from 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago. A paleo diet consists of lean meats, fish, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables- which is simple and non-restrictive enough. The main food group a paleo diet excludes is dairy, grains, potatoes, beans and legumes. Since the paleo diet relies on a diet rich in the foods that hunters and gatherers ate, it pretty much rejects all the foods produced from farming- which is a relatively modern phenomenon. Paleo diets, much like keto, are pretty popular with those who want to lose or maintain their weight as well as those who are allergic to dairy.
Since the paleo diet limits refined sugars and saturated fats, many have claimed it to be a great way to a healthy, energised system. Since the diet focuses on protein, vitamins, fiber and minerals and keeps carbohydrates and saturated fats to a low, it’s considered effective to a point. It’s clear to see that, when balanced out, paleo might well restore energy, infuse the body with healthy fats and, with a regular intake of fish and seafood, keep iron, omega-3 and iodine levels high. Since the nutrient levels in the paleo diet seem well-modulated, there doesn’t seem to be any harm in carrying out this diet. Connected to exercise (a paleo diet stresses the importance of activity- just as the Paleolithic people were often quite active) weight loss, heart health, low blood sugar and high levels of HDL and low cholesterol, paleo has made a good public reputation for itself. However, despite word of mouth claiming that the paleo diet is pretty good for maintaining a healthy body, research can’t quite put a finger on whether this diet is as effective as people claim it to be. Many scientists state that paleo doesn’t have enough evidence to be effective nor has it shown any ‘real clinical effects’ in altering health in a significant way.
Here’s what the paleo diet contains:
Lean Meat- Including pork, beef, poultry and fish, a paleo diet stresses that these types of meat are essential. Since lean meat is typically low in fat, it’s considered the healthiest type of meat. However, that’s not to say that much red meat isn’t filled with salt and saturated fat- so best to keep the pork and beef at a low.
Game- Includes quail, venison and bison. Game, while not typically infused in the modern diet, can come nutritiously high, containing levels of iron, zinc and omega-3 and typically being low in fat. Game mostly always comes lean- but it can be heavily salted and naturally high in saturated fats.
Fruit/ Nuts- Typically high in fibre, vitamins and minerals, fruit is recommended in a paleo diet. Nuts are also pretty highly considered in this type of diet, which is beneficial since nuts have protein, healthy fats, fibre and calcium.
Eggs- High in protein, omega-3 and HDLs, eggs are allowed, in moderation.
A paleo diet will typically exclude artificial overly-processed foods, sweets, dairy, chocolate, cereal, cured meat and anything else which can’t be found in the wild. This makes the diet anti-inflammatory, nutritious and balanced enough to be followed with some ease.
Once again, we recommend consulting a nutritionist about trying this diet out if you feel it might benefit you. Since there’s not enough evidence to back this diet up, we recommend keeping it short-term and supplementing any missing nutrients- such as the typically low levels of calcium and vitamin D which are associated with diets. Since paleo revolves around eating a lot of meat, it isn’t suitable for vegetarians. And since a lot of red meat and game naturally contains fat, this diet shows best results when accompanied with regular aerobic exercise.
Because the way our mood is has often been closely linked to nutrition, mental health and nutrition have become mutually inclusive topics. Not only does good nutrition tend to make us happier, since diets with high fibre, healthy fats and lot of vitamins and minerals can reduce inflammation, promote an active, healthy gut (where a lot of the feel-good hormone serotonin hails) and make us feel more alert and energetic, a regular intake of healthy, nutritious food can make the body accustomed to feeling good, making us ‘hooked’ onto a healthy diet. This is because, when we eat better, we’re happier and more uplifted and so we tend to have a better understanding of what our body needs, eating healthier by instinct. This leads to us taking time to prepare creative recipes with a range of nourishing ingredients, trying new and nourishing food and drink and, of course, regularly providing our body with the right type of food to keep us going. Instinctive eating becomes a habit when we make a practice out of eating healthier, reducing our chances of skipping meals or over-eating. Another plus: paying attention to our bodily needs and nourishing ourselves properly tends to release more serotonin and dopamine in the system, allowing us to be happier- it’s a cyclical process which only serves to help, and not hinder, us.
So, what does this have to do with CBD?
Regularly taking CBD has been shown to be incredibly important in the two ways that matter when we’re embarking on a new, nutritiously-dense diet. CBD uplifts us, calms and curbs anxiety, and modulates our system, creating more balance in the body. Which is essential when we’re trying to stick to a diet, since balance and moderation is what it’s all about. With its therapeutic potential, CBD can do more for dieting than we might initially suspect.
The Endocannabinoid System
CBD can promote the body and mind into a relaxed state making it a fantastic restorative agent. From relieving anxiety to assisting in pain management, CBD’s influence on the body is varied- and while scientists are still figuring out what exactly CBD can do for us, one thing is known: CBD has some promising effects in helping the body regulate, moderate and balance everything, from nutrients to mood to perception and cognition. CBD’s positive effects on the body are due to its capacity to modulate the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). As a cannabinoid, CBD has the capacity to indirectly interact with ECS receptors which trigger the activity of the ECS. These receptors are dotted all around the body, cleverly placed in areas that, when binded to, promote chemical and metabolic processes which need to be processed to bring about regulation. It is because of CBD’s receptivity with the ECS that accounts for its potential as a health supplement. From being able to regulate our sex drive, improving sleep hygeine controlling appetite and regulating mood, CBD can be a great assistant to a healthy lifestyle.
The ECS is responsible for our body’s homeostasis- essentially, it balances out pretty much every process in the body. It controls the workings of the peripheral and central nervous systems to modulate processes- from regulating mood, immunity, temperature, libido, fertility, sleep, memory, appetite and so much more. To explain CBD’s relationship with the ECS in the best way possible, we must first look at three things which are required for the ECS to activate and regulate all the functions we tend to take for granted: cannabinoids, endocannabinoids and ECS receptors. As we’ve established, ECS receptors are all over the body (like little locks waiting for the key that fits). These keys come in the form of two molecules- cannabinoids (which are the molecules, THC, CBD and phytocannabinoids, produced by the cannabis Sativa plant) or endocannabinoids (the molecules provided by the body). It is only endocannabinoids or cannabinoids which can activate endocannabinoid receptors and trigger processes in the body. Day to day, the body releases the right frequency of endocannabinoids, which either attach to CB1 (in the CNS) or CB2 (in the PNS) receptors- when done correctly, the body should know when to release endocannabinoids to modulate processes in the body.
However, as with many complicated processes, sometimes things fall short and there’s not enough, or too many, endocannabinoids being released. Instead of balancing the body, we experience imbalance. This can trigger a range of issues, from low mood, cravings, skewing of cognition and mental clarity, sluggishness and so forth. Which is why CBD can be so handy- it provides a balancing boost to the ECS which can help us to restore ourselves.
Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t cause an intoxicating effect on the system- because THC tends to flood the endocannabinoid receptors, locking with them and causing all sorts of processes in the body to happen at an overdrive, it causes an imbalance in the system, throwing everything off. In terms of diet and appetite, when THC floods the system this can cause a major imbalance when it comes to what we crave- THC has been known to cause hunger (also known as ‘the munchies). Often this offsets any diet you might be on, since THC actively binds to CB1 receptors in the brain. Stimulating CB1 receptors does a lot for your appetite- from activating the basal ganglia (the part of the brain responsible for mood, emotion and movement) to making food more pleasurable to releasing the appetite-stimulating hormone, ghrelin. Since THC also has a tendency to stimulate the release of dopamine at higher concentrations, we get that pleasurable-reward feeling when we eat anything remotely sweet, fatty or salty with THC in our systems.
With CBD, things occur a little differently; first, it should be noted that CBD is incapable of changing behaviour patterns so suddenly, because CBD cannot actually bind with any ECS receptors in the way that THC can. Instead, CBD inhibits the breakdown of a major endocannabinoid- anandamide. In preventing the premature breakdown of anandamide, CBD in the system allows this endocannabinoid to bind to ECS receptor sites at a higher frequency because it inhibits the production of the protein (FAAH) which is responsible for disposing of anandamide. It is CBD’s indirect potential to increase concentrations of anandamide in the system that makes it non-intoxicating- CBD doesn’t flood the ECS and bind to receptors at a high frequency, bringing about a quick influx of imbalance and change. Instead, it promotes the activity of an endocannabinoid already present within the body. So without this imbalance, when we take CBD, we don’t experience any sudden change. And we certainly don’t get the munchies. But that’s not to say that CBD doesn’t change our appetite.
CBD, Mood and Appetite
CBD stimulates our ECS by increasing and uplifting the mood- which has a strong influence over the way we diet. Studies show that when people are happier, they tend to lead healthier lives- with the opposite also being true. Since sadness, anxiety and depression has been linked to instances of poor appetite, sweet cravings and skipping on meals, nutrition and mood are more closely linked than we might think. And, indeed, those who suffer from mental illness, such as depression in varying degrees of severity, tend to have essential nutrients such as fatty acids, certain vitamins and minerals missing- vitamins B-12, D folate, zinc, magnesium and iron and selenium are high on the list of missing nutrients. Since research also tells us that 95% of serotonin is produced by the gut (which accounts for why a digestive disorder might link to poor mood) a happy gut, nutrients and all, often means a happy life.
CBD improves the mood by increasing concentrations of the endocannabinoid anandamide in our systems. And lucky for us, having higher concentrations of anandamide can be extremely beneficial for the body. Research has shown that individuals who have more anandamide tend to feel less anxious and more ‘well’. Anandamide gets its name from the Sanskrit word ‘ananda’ which means ‘bliss’ (anandamide also goes by the term N-arachidonoylethanolamine, but we prefer sticking to bliss). We can discern for ourselves how beneficial having an endocannabinoid named after its positive potential can be- although we don’t have to. The effects of anandamide in the body have been largely reported as beneficial. Higher concentrations of this endocannabinoid have been shown to enhance the mood, lower anxiety and stress (which tend to stem from high levels of fear, which anandamide controls), an overall improved tolerance to pain, enhanced feelings of focus, mental clarity and, most importantly for this article, make it easier to follow diet and restrict cravings. Studies have also discovered that post-exercise euphoria can stimulate higher concentration of anandamide in the body, accounting for the post-workout high. This suggests that anandamide plays a large role in mimicking the feeling of endorphins rushing through the bloodstream.
Since CBD tends to improve the system, making a person more calm and centred, the principles of it go hand in hand with a diet that has all the important nutrients and keeps you looking forward to your next meal. Some of the diets we’ve listed are healthier than others- but, above all, if none resonate with you then that’s okay. Living your life with balance, enjoyment and energy is what we stand for, here at Alphagreen. And while some aspects of each diet might be well worth heeding, it’s important to follow a diet which makes you feel your best.
Above all, we stress that, while it’s important to eat healthy, making sure you’re listening to your body, indulging yourself (because you deserve to) and eating intuitively- with a measure of passion and enjoyment is perfectly fine…and perfectly encouraged! Pairing your daily supplement of CBD oil with a well-informed, non-restrictive and well-ratioed diet may be perfect for you.
Anastasiia Myronenko
Anastasiia Myronenko is a Medical Physicist actively practicing in one of the leading cancer centers in Kyiv, Ukraine. She received her master’s degree in Medical Physics at Karazin Kharkiv National University and completed Biological Physics internship at GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Germany. Anastasiia Myronenko specializes in radiation therapy and is a fellow of Ukrainian Association of Medical Physicists.