Is The Raw Food Diet Healthy For All People Who Want To Drop Those Extra Pounds?
Everyone eats, and these days it seems everyone has an opinion about which foods or food preparation methods are the most beneficial. Meat lovers say that animal protein is essential for good health, while vegetarians decry the raising and killing of animals for the mass market. Some vegetarians take things a little further by practicing a life totally free of unprocessed foods, which means no cooking. This is called a raw food diet, and derives its health benefits from plant products such as nuts, fruits, fresh vegetables, seeds, grains, beans, dried fruit, sprouts and seaweed.
While not a new concept, it can still cause meat-lovers to roll their eyes in disdain. These individuals remind us that there has never been a totally “natural” state of eating, and that man has always processed his food to some extent. But are they wrong to automatically dismiss the benefits of a raw diet? Is it really possible to regain health and enjoy foods that are uncooked without feeling deprived? There is no clear-cut right or wrong answer, but there are some immediate benefits.
The most obvious one is weight loss. Today, nearly all our food is processed using salt, sugar and fats to make it tastier. This has contributed to the fact that over half the population is overweight, and many have crossed the line into obesity, especially young people. Heart disease and diabetes are inextricably linked to our eating habits, and a course of unprocessed foods can eliminate much of the risk of developing these diseases. On an all-vegetable and grain diet it is nearly impossible to gain weight, and many people shed pounds while actually eating more than they did beforehand.
Advocates of this eating method point out that body weight is not an isolated issue, because it reflects the overall state of bodily health, including the digestive system and all related functions. There are many reasons given for the weight loss that occurs when such a diet is adopted. The primary cause seems to be that the elimination of the ingredients that go into food processing are simply not healthy, and cause the body to store fat rather than utilize it. Raw foods contain enzymes that cooking seems to destroy.
Enzymes are the complex proteins who are the key players in most biochemical reactions within our cells. Staying alive without enzymes would be difficult. Practitioners of the raw plan say that the enzymes prevalent in uncooked foods can alter the body’s functions for the better, and that includes more efficient processing of nutrients and the loss of unnecessary fat. There is however, some controversy as to whether uncooked enzymes actually aid digestion or increase overall lifespan. Critics point out that all enzymes that we eat get destroyed by stomach acid anyway, and it doesn’t matter whether they have been cooked beforehand.
Weight loss and the accompanying physical and mental benefits are good reasons to go raw. Unprocessed foods are easier to digest, and provide a maximum of energy. But what about the drawbacks? It is a mistake to assume that this way of eating is good for everyone. There have been few studies about whether eating foods in an uncooked state actually prevents disease, and many people simply don’t thrive or feel well on the diet. There are issues with vitamin deficiencies and bone health. Cooking food can break down fibres, and liberates some nutrients, such as beta-carotene and certain anti-oxidants. A totally uncooked diet requires the same or greater effort to maintain as a vegetarian, and requires lengthier preparation of certain kinds of foods. Some raw-food-only eaters end up looking gaunt. And, there is always a greater chance of contaminants in uncooked foods.
This is a plan that must be evaluated individually. There is absolutely no doubt that eating whole, natural fruits and vegetables, especially those produced organically, greatly benefits health, and doesn’t kill animals. But, as with any plan, one size does not fit all, and should not be promoted as a cure-all for everyone. There are individuals who have used a raw food diet to become healthier, stabilize their weight, and increase their general well being. Those interested in adopting such a regimen should carefully read all the information available before making a decision to drastically change their eating habits.
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