Why Carnivore Diet Benefits Fail to Outweigh Serious Health Risks? Study Sheds Light

A recent review published in Nutrients evaluated the nutritional adequacy and potential health effects of the carnivore diet (CD), a dietary pattern based almost entirely on animal-derived foods.
The carnivore diet consists primarily of minimally processed animal-based foods such as meat, fish, eggs, seafood, animal fats, and full-fat dairy products, while excluding plant-based foods. As a result, it is considered a low-carbohydrate, high-fat dietary pattern. Proponents claim that the diet supports weight loss, improves physical and cognitive performance, and reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorders.
These proposed benefits are often attributed to the elimination of antinutritional compounds found in plants, including lectins, phytic acid, oxalates, tannins, and other secondary plant metabolites that may interfere with nutrient absorption. However, excluding plant foods also removes important sources of dietary fiber, phytochemicals, and essential micronutrients. In addition, high consumption of red and processed meats has been consistently linked in broader epidemiological research to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and mortality.
The researchers systematically reviewed studies published between 2021 and 2025 that examined the carnivore diet. Studies were excluded if more than 10% of energy intake came from plant foods, or if they were animal studies, reviews, preprints, or unpublished reports. In total, nine eligible studies were included, comprising case reports, surveys, modeling studies, and exploratory research conducted in Europe and the United States.
Across studies, several micronutrient deficiencies were identified, with intakes below dietary reference values for thiamin, magnesium, calcium, potassium, iodine, folate, and vitamins C and D. Fiber intake was consistently low, while vitamin A intake often exceeded recommended levels, particularly in diets high in liver consumption.
Some studies reported short-term improvements in metabolic markers, including triglycerides, glycated hemoglobin, and inflammatory indicators. However, increases in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were also commonly observed. Isolated cases reported adverse outcomes, including kidney stone formation.
The review suggests that while the carnivore diet may produce short-term perceived or metabolic benefits, it carries potential risks related to cardiovascular health, kidney function, and nutrient deficiencies. Due to limited and low-quality evidence, long-term adherence to the carnivore diet cannot be recommended.
REFERENCE: Lietz, A., Dapprich, J., & Fischer, T. (2026). Carnivore Diet: A Scoping Review of the Current Evidence, Potential Benefits and Risks. Nutrients 18(2); 348. DOI: 10.3390/nu18020348. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/2/348