Influencers Are Ditching Vegetables Because Of ‘Anti-Nutrients’: Should We Follow Suit?

Health trends are something that will never die down in social media. While other trends come and go, good health trends have people incorporating them in their lifestyle for a very long time. When it comes to health, you have to be very careful because, while anything can go viral, we cannot believe everything we see on the internet. There are also influencers, who have their brand dedicated to a particular health specific like diet, exercise etc., often these influencers also give information that is half-baked, meaning it may have some backing, but it is still not full information. There are some basics everyone should know, and these basics can help you cream from the crop when it comes to new trends. As we know, a healthy diet consists of a variety of ingredients, fruits, vegetables etc. Enjoying organic foods is the way you ensure you are enjoying the best available nutrients.

You know how some people on TikTok talk about health and wellness? Well, lately, some of them have been saying we should avoid vegetables because they contain "anti-nutrients." These online creators argue that these special chemicals in plants actually stop our bodies from using the good stuff in vegetables. They claim it's like the plants' way of protecting themselves, and we end up paying the price when we eat them. They even say these anti-nutrients can cause tummy troubles and mess with our hormones. This idea has become pretty popular, especially with people who follow a diet where they only eat meat which is called the carnivore diet.

What Are ‘Anti Nutrients’?

Plants have these natural chemicals called anti-nutrients. Think of them like the plant's own little bodyguards. They help protect the plant from bugs and diseases, and they also play a role in how the plant grows. Here are some particular anti-nutrients you should know of.

Phytic Acid: This is found in things like almonds, walnuts, corn, wheat, rice, and beans. It can grab onto important minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc, and calcium, making it harder for our bodies to absorb them.

Oxalates: These are in foods like spinach, beet greens, and even chocolate. They like to stick to calcium, which can be a problem for our bones. In some people, they might even contribute to kidney stones.

Lectins: You'll find these in corn, potatoes, whole grains, and beans. For some people, they can cause stomachaches and other digestive problems.

Tannins: These are in grapes, wine, coffee, and tea. They can make it difficult for our bodies to absorb iron.

Saponins: Quinoa, nuts, seeds, and spinach contain saponins. They can get in the way of absorbing iron, zinc, and vitamin E.

Goitrogens: These are found in vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. They can affect how our bodies use iodine, which is important for our thyroid.

Protease Inhibitors: Squash, beans, and whole grains have these. They can make it harder for our bodies to break down protein.

Should We Stop Eating Vegetables?

It might surprise you, but these so-called "bad" anti-nutrients can also be good for us in some ways. For example, phytic acid and tannins can act as antioxidants, which help protect our cells from damage. Lectins might help fight off germs and even have some anti-cancer properties. Saponins seem to have antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects. And protease inhibitors are even used to treat HIV!

Even though some people on TikTok are saying we should avoid vegetables because of anti-nutrients, experts disagree. They say that the good things in fruits and vegetables like fiber, special plant chemicals, vitamins, and minerals are much more important than the potential problems with anti-nutrients. Eating a plant-based diet is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and other serious illnesses. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables is still the best way to stay healthy. While it's smart to be aware of anti-nutrients, you shouldn't cut out entire food groups just because of them.