Diets-are they really good for us?

In today’s world, dieting is everywhere. From social media influencers promoting the latest “miracle” plan, to friends and colleagues talking about cutting calories, there’s no escaping the cultural obsession with food restriction. But are diets really good for us? To answer this, it’s worth looking back at a fascinating study that sheds light not only on dieting but also on eating disorders and mental health.

The Minnesota Starvation Study

Over 70 years ago, researcher Ancel Keys and his colleagues at the University of Minnesota conducted an experiment with 36 healthy young men who volunteered as an alternative to military service. The goal was to better understand the effects of starvation. For the first few months, the men ate normally while their behaviour and health were carefully monitored. Then, for six months, their calorie intake was cut in half, leading to an average weight loss of about 25%. Finally, they underwent a three-month re-feeding period.

What the study revealed was profound: semi-starvation didn’t just affect the men’s bodies – it changed their minds, emotions, and social lives in ways that strongly resemble the struggles faced by people with eating disorders today.

Food Obsession and Disordered Eating

One of the clearest effects of semi-starvation was food preoccupation. The men, who previously had little interest in cooking, began obsessing over recipes, cookbooks, and kitchen utensils. Meals became elaborate rituals, with food stretched out for hours, spiced heavily, or mixed into strange concoctions. Some even binged, eating uncontrollably and then feeling shame and disgust. These behaviours echo the symptoms of anorexia and bulimia, showing that many eating disorder patterns may actually stem from the effects of starvation itself.

Emotional and Mental Health Impacts

The men also experienced significant emotional changes. Depression, irritability, anxiety, and apathy became common. Some grew withdrawn, avoiding friends and social activities. Even relationships and sexual interest declined. Concentration and judgement were impaired, and nervous habits like nail-biting or chain smoking increased. These mental health struggles didn’t disappear overnight during re-feeding – in some cases, they lingered for months.

This suggests a crucial point: restricting food can directly affect mood, mental stability, and overall wellbeing. The emotional difficulties of eating disorders may not just be psychological causes, but also consequences of malnutrition.

Physical Strain

The physical toll was just as striking: fatigue, weakness, dizziness, hair loss, intolerance to cold, and reduced metabolism. Some men exercised excessively in an attempt to manipulate their food allowance, echoing compulsive exercise behaviours seen in people with eating disorders today. Even after regaining weight, many worried about fat distribution, sluggishness, or “feeling fat” – experiences familiar to those in recovery from anorexia or bulimia.

What Does This Mean for Dieting Today?

The Minnesota study shows us that the human body and mind are deeply interconnected. When we restrict food, it doesn’t just shrink our waistlines – it alters how we think, feel, and relate to others. Many symptoms associated with eating disorders are in fact consequences of the semi-starvation state. In other words, diets that promote restriction and weight loss may put people at risk of similar physical, emotional, and psychological disturbances.

In a culture that glorifies dieting and thinness, this is an important reminder: pursuing weight loss through restriction isn’t harmless. It can disrupt our relationship with food, impact our mental health, and even mimic the dangerous cycle of eating disorders.

The Takeaway

So, are diets really good for us? The evidence suggests otherwise. While balanced nutrition is essential for health, intentional semi-starvation – whether through crash diets, extreme calorie-cutting, or disordered eating – comes with serious costs. Food is not just fuel for the body; it is also critical for mental and emotional stability. Protecting that balance is key not just to physical health, but to living fully and well.

Inspired by Ancel Keys’ Minnesota Starvation Study and the insights it offers into eating disorders and mental health.