Negative calories: truth or myth?

Read in EnglishIf you are on a diet or trying to adopt a healthier diet, you have probably heard about so-called negative calories. However, this concept has generated endless debates among experts, and here’s why.What are negative calories?The concept of negative calories refers to foods that are rich in various nutrients but supposedly provide very few calories. Thus, in the end, people will need more calories to digest them than what the food provides; that is, you will need more energy to digest them compared to the calories they contain. However, various experts question this concept. It is said that by consuming negative calories you will lose weight, as you will burn calories during digestion. One of the main examples of negative calories is celery stalks or apples, as both are high in fiber, nutrients, and have a high water content. You can also read: What are empty calories and how to avoid themWhat do experts say about negative calories?According to the website WebMD, further research and scientific studies are still needed to confirm the existence of negative calories and adds that: “Foods that contain few calories, such as celery and other non-starchy vegetables, provide a small amount of calories, but you still need energy to digest them. This means that, in theory, negative calorie foods may exist, but there are no serious scientific studies proving that certain foods have this effect.”Foods with supposed negative caloriesAccording to the website Healthline, these are the foods believed to burn calories when eaten, as they mostly have a high water content and do not contain fat or sugars:CeleryLettuceBroccoliCucumberGrapefruitTomatoWatermelonAppleCarrotEven though all these foods are low in calories, it has not been scientifically proven that you burn more calories digesting them than they provide. So now you know, miracle diets do not exist and extreme diets can harm your health, so it is best to consult a nutrition expert, exercise, and adopt a healthy lifestyle as much as possible. You can also read: The 5 healthiest dietsNutrient-rich and low-calorie foodsAlthough it is most likely that negative calories do not exist, there is a wide variety of foods that contain vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and very few calories, making them perfect to include in your diet. According to Healthline experts, these foods are your best optionSpinach: 7 calories per cupPotato: 58 calories per cupRaspberries: 64 calories per cupEgg: 78 calories per pieceBlueberries: 84 calories per cupUnsweetened Greek yogurt: 100 calories per servingChicken breast: 110 calories per servingSalmon: 121 calories per serving