As human beings, it is our natural instinct to look for a shortcut in every possible scenario. As a result, when you look in the mirror and realize that you have out on a few extra pounds the first thing that you think off is a crash diet to shed off that extra diet. A crash diet basically involves starving yourself for a few days to the extent that you may drop a few pounds in about a week. As attractive as that may sound, you wouldn’t want to go for this option after learning why crash diets are dangerous and instead of making your body look good, they can have extremely harmful effects on it.

Why Crash Diets Are Dangerous # 1:

Weakens Your Immune System

When you start a crash diet, your body is deprived of the basic nutrients, minerals, carbohydrates and proteins that it needs to function normally and be healthy. Not only that, but a major reason why crash diets are dangerous is because this starvation leads to your immune system becoming very weak and leaving you susceptible to lots of common diseases which are an added burden after the starvation period.

Why Crash Diets Are Dangerous # 2:

Leads to Future Weight Gain

By not providing your body with enough food to digest and assimilate for a few days, you are deliberately slowing down your body’s metabolism. This means that your body will burn off fat and calories slower than before which completely defeats the purpose of your weight loss program. You won’t gain weight immediately, but at the same time, no fat and calories are being burnt either so that when you start consuming normally again, your calories will burn slowly and you are bound to put on weight.

Why Crash Diets Are Dangerous # 1:

Temporary Weight Loss – Permanent Damage

When you are losing weight during the diet, your body is not burning up fat and thus the weight loss is from a decrease in a muscle mass. This is not a good sign because muscles are important to support your bone structure. Not only that, but the reason why crash diets are so dangerous is because the loss of muscle mass results in the body becoming a fat accumulating monster so that when you start eating again, the slightest increase in fat content will cause you to put on weight.  The weight loss with crash diets is always temporary. However the damage caused includes eating disorders, ruined, pale skin and dark circles is there to stay.

Why Crash Diets Are Dangerous # 3:

Psychological Impact

Another major reason as to why crash diets are dangerous is because due to their severity, they make the dieter feel very irritated and cranky and less able to resist those food cravings. Not only that, but giving in to those cravings makes them more upset with themselves and thus end up in becoming a vicious cycle. Studies have shown that people who subject themselves to constant crash dieting are more likely to develop mental disorders like depression or eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia.