We  are always told to exercise more and eat less. You’ve probably heard a hundred variations of this message in magazine or on TV. But where is the “meat” of the argument, so to speak? Is eating less really likely to improve your health?

More than you would believe.

Let’s turn down the volume on the fitness gurus for a moment and just take a look at the cold hard facts. The graph below is from a 1986 issue of the Journal of Nutrition.

"The retardation of aging in mice by dietary restriction: longevity, cancer, immunity and lifetime energy intake." Journal of Nutrition, April, 116(4), pages 641-54.

Each line above represents a group of mice fed a certain amount of calories. As you can see, nearly all the mice on the most calorie-restricted diet were still alive after 35 months. However, 100% of the mice with zero caloric restriction were dead after 35 months.

Researchers at Louisiana State University have found similar results in humans. Participants in a study who reduced their caloric intake by 25%, or 12.5% matched with 12.5% greater exercise, showed reduced DNA damage in their blood cells compared to the control group. [1]

Another important benefit of calorie restriction is enhanced brain function:

“Research has shown that laboratory animals fed calorie-restricted diets—anywhere from 25 to 50 percent less than normal—live longer than other animals do. And it turns out they also have improved brain function, performing better on tests of memory and coordination. Rodents on calorie-restricted diets are also better able to resist the damage that accompanies Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.”[2]

I personally just started experimenting with caloric restriction when I noticed I constantly felt “heavy” in my stomach, despite having a “bean pole” body type. After making a conscious effort to eat less I have noticed:

1. I have virtually no gas.
2. The patch of eczema on my hand has almost disappeared.
3. I have less desire to ingest caffeine (a.k.a. drink tea).
4. I still have plenty of energy when lifting weights.

If you are getting bogged down with all of the nutritional information out there, just remember this. Don’t starve yourself, but eat on the light side. Contrary to the name, you should not feel “calorie restricted”, but light and energetic. I can’t help but think this is one of the main factors in the proclaimed health benefits of vegetarian, and especially raw food diets.

[1] New Scientist Article

[2] Scientific American Article