YouTuber Jake Moscato, aged 28, decided to follow a diet consisting solely of red meat for 60 days to see if this experiment would make him look like a ‘superhero’ or ‘destroy’ his body. Moscato, the 28-year-old, began his diet by consuming only beef and salt. However, within just a few days, he realized that it was much more challenging than he had thought.

Four days later, while on vacation in California, Moscato struggled to find food options outside and had to eat lunch and dinner out with his friends. Unable to strictly adhere to his diet, the YouTuber quickly started experiencing stomach discomfort and digestive issues.

A week later, he rapidly deviated from his diet, indulging in fast food, ice cream, and highly processed snacks. Moscato remarked, “The worst part was not having options when eating out,” and pointed out that the obligation to cook meals was demanding.

Moscato’s health condition deteriorated increasingly. With chest pains, anxiety, stomach problems, and mild depression, he realized that these conditions were unsustainable. He decided to relax the diet restrictions. From the third week onwards, he began adding some fruits to his meals.

Continuing his diet, Moscato claimed that by the end of 60 days, his mood, energy, and focus significantly improved. To witness the changes in his body, he underwent blood tests after completing the challenge. The results showed that his body fat percentage decreased from 16% to 14.6%, and body weight dropped from 208 kilograms to 202 kilograms. Moreover, there was an increase of approximately 6 kilograms in muscle mass.

However, there were also some negative changes in the test results. Cholesterol levels rose from 157 mg to 169 mg and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels increased from 67 mg to 92 mg. Simultaneously, good cholesterol (HDL) levels decreased from 81 mg to 69 mg.

The rise in cholesterol and LDL is considered a concern as it can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Experts, however, clarified that Moscato did not carry a risk of heart disease. While his testosterone levels increased from 748 ng to 800 ng, his iron levels also rose from 88 micrograms to 176 micrograms.

Experts warned about the potential harm of excessive iron loading on organs such as the liver, heart, and pancreas. Nevertheless, Moscato expressed his intent to continue his carnivorous diet by incorporating fruits and avocados at the end of the diet.

Experts emphasize the negative health effects of excessive consumption of red meat and processed foods. Instead, they suggest that plant-based eating styles like the Mediterranean diet are more beneficial for health. Research supports that the Mediterranean diet protects heart health and reduces the risk of various diseases. Furthermore, another key point highlighted by experts is that excessive red meat consumption may increase the risk of cancer and cognitive decline.

Moscato’s experience shed light on the adverse effects of excessive red meat consumption, underscoring the importance of healthy eating habits. Experts recommend limiting red meat consumption to 12-18 ounces per week.