How the Keto Diet Went from Arctic Staple to Bro-Science

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The ketogenic diet has rapidly gained popularity in recent years, with people all over the world trying it out for its potential health benefits and weight-loss potential. But few people know that this high-fat, low-carbohydrate approach has actually been around for centuries. Long before it was labeled as “bro science,” the keto diet was an arctic staple among some Inuit populations. Here is how the keto diet went from an arctic staple to a popular fad diet.

Traditional Uses: The ketogenic diet has been used for centuries by some Inuit populations in the Arctic circle as a way to survive harsh winters when food was scarce. These cultures relied heavily on fat and protein sources such as seal blubber and whale meat to make up most of their caloric intake while limiting carbohydrates, leading to a state called ketosis in which their bodies used fat instead of glucose for energy.
Renewed Interest: In recent years, researchers have renewed their interest in the potential benefits of a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet like the traditional arctic staple eaten by some Inuit populations. This led to further research into what is now known as the keto diet, exploring its potential effects on weight loss and overall health markers such as cholesterol levels and blood sugar control.
Fad Diet: As more research and media attention was devoted to this emerging new way of eating, it quickly gained notoriety as a “fad” or “trendy” diet among certain segments of the population looking to lose weight quickly or improve overall health markers without making major lifestyle modifications such as changing dietary habits or increasing physical activity levels.
Bro Science: Unfortunately, misinformation about how this way of eating works has become rampant due to false promises made by online resources and personal trainers who often lack scientific expertise in nutrition (often referred to as “bro science”). This has caused confusion among many people regarding what exactly constitutes a healthy diet and how one should go about following it safely and effectively.

In conclusion, while some may label the ketogenic diet as fad or bro science due to misconceptions about how it works its origins lie far back in time with traditional diets among certain arctic cultures who used this approach for survival during long winters when food stores were limited. With continued research into its potential health benefits however, this way of eating continues to grow in legitimacy today.