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What is a raw food diet? |
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The raw food diet is a diet based on unprocessed and uncooked plant foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, sprouts, seeds, nuts, grains, beans, dried fruit, and seaweed. Heating food above 116 degrees F destroys enzymes in food that can assist in the digestion and absorption of food. Cooking is also thought to diminish the nutritional value and "life force" of food. Typically, at least 75% of the diet must be living or raw to glean the benefits.
What are the Benefits of the Raw Food Diet?
Proponents of the raw food diet believe it has numerous health benefits, including:
· Increased Energy
· Improved Skin Appearance
· Better Digestion
· Weight Loss
· Reduced Risk of Heart Disease and Lower Cholesterol
The raw food diet contains fewer trans fats and saturated fat than the standard American diet (SAD). It is also low in sodium and high in potassium, magnesium, folate, fiber and health-promoting plant chemicals called phytochemicals. These properties are associated with a reduced risk of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. For example, a study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that consumption of a raw food diet lowered plasma total cholesterol. |
