What is Sirtfood diet? Diet plan and pros and cons!

Sirtfood diet is another fad diet for weight loss. There are claims of other health benefits but with no proper scientific backing.

What foods are allowed? Which foods are prohibited? How does the diet plan go? What are its pros and cons?

Sirtfood diet explained

Sirtfood diet is a fad diet for weight loss. It promises a weekly weight loss of 7 pounds. The recommended healthy weight loss per week is 1 to 2 pounds. In this diet, stress is on consumption of foods rich in sirtuins (SIRTs).

SIRTS are a group of 7 proteins that supposedly delays aging, regulates metabolism, and reduces body inflammation.

These foods are of plant origin. Hence they are loaded with antioxidants. These foods include dark chocolate, berries, kale, matcha green tea, red wine etc.

There is calories restrictions and sirtfoods are categorized as superfoods. But it lacks evidence. Foods allowed are fruits, grains, green leafy vegetables, certain herbs and spices, oils, healthy fats, and drinks rich in sirtuin activators.

Meat in moderation is OK. The diet prohibits eating processed foods, foods with added sugars or those made from refined flour.

Detailed Diet plan

There are two phases of this diet. In 1 week of phase one, on days 1 to 3, you can have 1 meal with foods rich in sirtuins and 3 green drinks as a juice or shake.

1000 calories are allowed. And on days 4 to 7, you can raise your daily calories to 1500. This would be as 2 meals and 2 green drinks.

The phase 2 lasts 2 weeks. In this phase, one can have 3 sirtuin-rich meals and 1 green drink in a day. After 3 weeks, one can repeat the cycle or continue with sirt-rich foods but with no calories restrictions.

Dietitian Barbie Cervoni states:

“Sirtuins (SIRTs) have been shown to regulate a variety of functions, like metabolism and stress responses, and potentially play a role in longevity and disease management. While most of the research on the benefits of sirtuins is on animals, the emerging science in humans is promising. Needless to say, the diet comes with drawbacks. Primarily it promises to activate your ‘skinny gene.’”

“Any diet that makes a promise like that should be a red flag. In addition, while the foods on the diet are nutrient-rich and can provide many health benefits, the diet can be restrictive, expensive, and unrealistic to follow long-term. Lastly, the first phase of the diet is too low in calories for most people, and this plan is not meant for those with a history of disordered eating.”

Pros and cons

Advocates of the diet claim that it achieves weight loss. It also slows the aging process. Since the diet is more plant based it provides antioxidants.

These can prevent body inflammation and chronic diseases. It mops up free radicals and can prevent cell damage.

Also, read Fad diets: Tips to differentiate good vs bad diets

But the calories are too restrictive. This is a matter of concern. The dieter may experience some side effects due to it. Additionally, the diet can cause nutritional deficiencies.

It is not healthy and dietitians do not recommend it. The details of this diet are available in the book The Sirtfood diet by Aidan Goggins and Glen Matten.