For Health... The Raw Food Diet

The most prevalent and popular aw food diets today generally are restricted to fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
The reasoning for it is based on 4 significant elements:

1. Natural enzymes – which are found in raw or living foods and are vital for developing proteins and repairing the body. These natural enzymes are damaged through the cooking process, thereby diminishing the nutritional worth of the food and developing toxins. In effect, enzymes help the conversion and storage of energy, dissolve fiber, develop active hormones and avert clotting. They help in balancing and restoring the immune system, and have anti-inflammatory effects which heal numerous diseases. When food is heated excessively, many of the enzymes that facilitate digestion are damaged. However, critics are quick to point out that the digestive process damages enzymes, together with other proteins, resulting in them having insufficient health benefit in any event.

2. Vitamins – support the conversion of carbohydrates and fat into energy, regulate metabolism and assist in the formation of bone and tissue. Approximately 80% of the vitamin nutrients (which varies according to each vitamin) are damaged when the food is cooked.

3. Minerals - have a symbiotic affiliation with vitamins and a lack in minerals could cause diseases. As mentioned, when foods are heated above a specific temperature, a lot of the minerals are altered if not totally damaged, causing them to be worthless and ineffective in helping the affect of vitamins.

4. Phytonutrients – reduce the chance of cancer by neutralizing free radicals. Once again, the phytonutrients produced by fresh plant foods could be damaged by heating.

According to raw food believers, a few of the many advantages to consuming raw foods consist of better energy levels, enhanced digestion, clear skin, weight loss and in general superior health. Lots of raw foodists will tell you they include a specific percentage of raw foods in their diet, e.g."75% raw diet" or a "90% raw diet". A few will add unprocessed dairy products in their diet, however a large amount are raw vegans. A diet of 75% raw food helps decelerate the aging, avert degenerative diseases, improve emotional balance and enhance energy.