Everyone knows it is healthy to eat fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables every day. That isn’t a new concept. A raw food diet simply says that these foods should be most of what we eat. |
| |
| HERE ARE SOME REASONS WHY: |
| |
Vitamins and micro-nutrients
Most vitamins and other micro-nutrients are damaged or destroyed at temperatures above 130 degrees. Many of these newly discovered micro-nutrients are thought help prevent cancer and other diseases. Eating lots of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables will increase the anti-aging health promoting vitamins and micro-nutrients in your diet.
Enzymes
Enzymes are the most heat sensitive of all nutrients, and are damaged or destroyed at temperatures above 118 degrees. Raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds contain the necessary enzymes to complete the digestion process. Enzymes in your food aid the digestion of that food, and when they are absent, the body must work harder on digestion.
|
 |
|
Water
Our bodies are 70% water. Fruits and vegetables are rich in pure water, and consuming a water-rich diet will keep you well hydrated. |
The Good Fats
Natural fats are very sensitive to heat (think of avocadoes and flaxseed oil). Heated and processed fats no longer have antioxidant qualities, and can be carcinogenic. Cooked fats are also sticky (think of a lasagna pan), which can cause blockages in the arteries and digestive tract inhibit the absorption of nutrients, and reduce the body’s ability to transport oxygen. |
Good Elimination
The soft, soluble fiber in fruits and tender green vegetables keeps you regular and lowers the risk of colon cancer. |
Proper acid-alkaline balance
Processed food, cooked food diets, pollution, and stress leave most people too acidic, which prevents optimal immune system functions, and leaches alkaline minerals from the body. Fruits and vegetables help keep you alkaline and healthy. |
Simple weight maintenance
The easiest way to lose excess fat is to eat low-calorie foods. Raw greens and vegetables have the lowest calories per bite of any food. Fruits are the second lowest, and they give satiation because they raise blood sugar and reduce appetite. Vigorous exercise is also important for weight loss.
If you wish to gain weight, this is best done by gaining muscle through strength and resistance workouts. The added calories needed for such training can be easily obtained through additional sweet fruits, nuts, seeds, and avocadoes. |
 |
|
| |
|
