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We ate these foods every day for a week and this is what happened
The food world is a crazy, ever-changing place. It seems like at least once a week something pops up in your social media newsfeed telling you about the latest food trend or hottest additive that’s supposed to make you feel better, stronger, healthier, or more alert. Is there any truth to these claims? Sometimes it’s hard to tell…who has the time or dedication to test them out?
We do! We, your friendly neighborhood writers and foodies at Mashed, decided to take on a challenge: try some of these foods – trendy, healthy, or otherwise – for a week and see what happens.
Beer
Beer! Beer is awesome, especially on a hot summer day. Even better, studies have shown that regular consumption of a beer or so a day can have some amazing health benefits. According to Piedmont Healthcare, beer could help protect you from kidney stones and lower your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. While we can’t speak to any of these long-term claims, we can say that some of the other claims have been completely validated, especially the idea that a beer a day can help reduce stress.
There’s something relaxing about popping the top of a can or bottle. Since we chose our daily beer during dinner prep, we realized that by Wednesday, the sound of an open beer was a kind of signal that made our brains disconnect from the day. Work? The real world? That’s behind us, and now it’s time to relax. It’s beer time!
We also found that there was a little side effect we didn’t expect: it helped us eat less. Even one beer is more filling than, say, sipping a soda while you’re cooking – especially if we made that beer a Guinness. By the time we got to dinner, we just didn’t feel like eating as much, and could opt for one scoop of macaroni and cheese instead of two. After a week of daily beer, did we keep it up? You bet we did.
Bananas
Bananas are one of the easiest fruits to eat. In fact, grabbing a banana for breakfast or as a mid-morning snack on the run couldn’t be easier. And let’s face it, bananas are also a delicious addition to smoothies, granola bowls, and more, so it’s not too hard to incorporate this bright yellow piece of produce into your daily routine.
Bananas are packed with potassium, usually in excess of 400 milligrams for a medium banana. And because potassium helps regulate your body’s fluids, works to keep nerve signaling from the brain to your body going as it should, and helps with normal muscle contractions, getting between 3500 and 4700 milligrams per day is pretty important.
Bananas are also super hydrating, which leads to more energy. And that’s the effect that was most noticeable after eating a banana every day for a week. Thanks to the natural sugars and good carbohydrates found in bananas, in addition to vitamin B6, eating a banana made you feel like there was more time in the day to get things done. Eating a banana for breakfast every morning definitely made a difference, leading to a clearer mind and increased productivity.
Bulletproof Coffee
We already know what happens when you drink espresso every day – it’s generally healthy as long as you don’t overindulge. But what about Bulletproof Coffee, the high-calorie coffee drink that many people use as a breakfast substitute? According to the Bulletproof Coffee company, the drink works because MCT oil can increase your body’s ketone levels, while grass-fed butter is a good source of butyrate, vitamin A, beta-carotene, and the fatty acid CLA. Combine these ingredients with antioxidant-rich coffee, and they say the drink will give you “clean-burning energy” for hours.
So we tried it, brewing a cup of coffee every morning and blending it with two tablespoons of grass-fed butter and one tablespoon of MCT oil. The drink was thin, but somehow it reminded us of a milkshake (maybe because it contains a ton of fat?). We were pretty ravenous at lunch – especially the first few days – but by the end of the week, we felt like we had settled into a routine. By the end of the week, we were pretty excited to be eating solid food for breakfast again, and we can’t say that we want to drink Bulletproof Coffee every day for the rest of our lives. But we did notice that it gave us a bigger energy boost in the morning compared to drinking regular coffee, so we might use it as a tool to get us through particularly busy days.
Matcha
FAQS
What was the purpose of this experiment?
The purpose of this experiment was to try different foods for a week and observe the effects they had on our bodies and overall well-being.
Did you find any surprising results during the experiment?
Yes, we found some unexpected results. For example, we found that drinking a beer every day helped us eat less, and eating a banana every morning increased our energy levels and productivity.
Were there any long-term health benefits to consuming these foods?
While we cannot make definitive claims about long-term health benefits based on this experiment alone, some studies suggest that moderate beer consumption may have certain health benefits, such as protecting against kidney stones and reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Bananas, rich in potassium, may help with fluid regulation, nerve signaling, and muscle contraction, which are important for overall health.
Have you experienced any negative effects from eating these foods every day?
Overall, we have not seen any significant negative effects from consuming these foods on a daily basis. However, it’s important to note that individual experiences may vary, and it’s always wise to listen to your body and make adjustments accordingly.
Can these findings be applied to everyone?
The results of this experiment are based on our personal experience and may not apply to everyone. Each person’s body and nutritional needs are unique, so it’s important to consider individual factors and consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet.
Would you recommend this dietary experiment to others?
While this experiment provided some interesting insights, we would recommend consulting with a healthcare professional or nutritionist before embarking on any dietary experiment. They can provide personalized guidance based on your specific needs and health goals.