A raw food diet is scientifically proven to be good for you! The raw food movement is a diet based on the belief that the most healthful foods for the body are uncooked foods. Recent science now proves that cooking not only destroys enzymes in foods and degrades certain nutrients, but also chemically changes the composition of foods from substances that are needed for healthful benefits.
Basically, raw food, which is sometimes called live or living food, is food that has not been cooked or exposed to temperatures over 118 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking foods at greater temperatures destroys naturally occurring enzymes in foods. Enzymes are the life force in food, helping us to digest food and absorb all the nutrients our bodies need. When we consume cooked foods, our bodies are forced to work harder by having to produce the enzymes. Over time, a lack of enzymes from food can lead to digestive problems, nutrient deficiency, accelerated aging, and even weight gain.
Devotees of the raw food movement highly insist that this diet consisting of mainly uncooked, unprocessed plant foods leads to a leaner body, clearer skin, and higher energy levels. Other benefits of following a raw food diet include:
- Excess weight loss
- Improved digestion
- Reduction of risk for many diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer
- Reduced inflammation
- Better alkaline body balance
What will you eat on a raw food diet?
- Nuts and seeds
- Sprouted whole grains
- Dairy products (non-pasteurized and non-homogenized)
Although most food is eaten raw, heating food is acceptable as long as the temperature stays below 104-118 degrees Fahrenheit. And the percentage of food in your diet should approximately 70% or more.
Finding creative recipes and purchasing a juicer and blender are the keys for success. Raw food dieters commonly use juicing or green smoothies as a way to consume large amounts of green vegetables and fruits and accelerate their progress toward optimal health.