Negative or zero-calorie foods are a hot topic debate despite their widespread mention on dieting websites. The concept suggests that our bodies expend as much energy, if not more, to digest certain fruits and vegetables than the calories they provide.
However, even the lowest-calorie foods, such as celery and watercress, offer more energy than the body requires to metabolize them. This claim lacks scientific backing.
In a 2019 study conducted by researchers at the University of Alabama, bearded dragons were observed consuming celery. While this choice may seem odd, it’s worth noting that bearded dragons are omnivorous, and their digestion processes share similarities with human metabolism.
In the study, these giant lizards consumed 5% of their body weight in celery. Researchers tracked their metabolic rates and analyzed fecal and urinary outputs to determine the energy lost through excretion.
The results indicated that the lizards only utilized about 75% of the energy from celery, debunking the myth of it being a negative-calorie food.
Nutrition experts caution that focusing solely on calories for weight management can be misguided. Different food types demand varying amounts of energy for digestion. For instance, digesting protein requires significantly more energy compared to fats and carbohydrates.
While ultra-processed foods are often high in both fat and carbohydrates—providing immediate satisfaction—they also contribute excess energy, much of which is subsequently stored in fat cells.
On the other hand, whole foods, particularly those rich in protein and fiber, generally necessitate more energy for digestion than their processed counterparts.
Though fresh fruits and vegetables, often labeled as zero or negative calorie foods, are essential components of a balanced diet, relying solely on them can lead to nutrient deficiencies, increased hunger, and irritability.
This article addresses the question: “Are negative calorie foods real?” (as inquired by Dani Sherman via email).
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com