Raw goodness: the benefits of fresh food - Fitness and Wellbeing

Raw goodness: the benefits of fresh food

You've probably heard it before, and you'll likely hear it again: raw food is all the craze. But what's the idea behind skipping the 'cooking' bit of cooking? Is a raw, crunchy carrot really going to do more for you than a cooked one?

'Raw foodists' (as they're called) argue yes. But they're not the only ones. Scientific studies have shown that food in its uncooked, unaltered state has major health benefits, while cooked food is robbed of its goodness. The reasoning behind this is that cooking and processing food can change its molecular makeup and destroy enzymes that are essential to efficient digestion. Your body therefore has to work harder to produce those enzymes itself, exhausting digestive glands and contributing to digestive problems. Moreover, it's said that once food is cooked above 116°F, up to 85% of its nutrients are destroyed - deeming it, by many, as 'dead food'.

Raw food, on the other hand, is said to be easier to digest and is full of vitamins and nutrients to provide sustained energy - rather than spurts of energy gained from eating processed foods. It also supplies oxygen to the organs and tissues more efficiently and cleanses the bloodstream through the ingestion of chlorophyll from green, leafy vegetables. And if that's not enough to get you thinking raw, raw food diets have been known to alleviate all sorts of ailments - from allergies and digestive disorders to weak immune systems and high cholesterol.

All in all, the less that's done to your food before consumption, the better its return will be. And, even if you don't think you'll be able to cope with a fully raw food diet (after all, if your kids and spouse don't join in, multiple meals will likely have to be cooked), you'll still benefit from a partially raw diet - which is easier to implement into everyday meals.

The benefits, in a (raw) nutshell

Increased energy, at a more sustained rate
Clearer, brighter skin
Improved digestion
Stronger immune system
More nutritional value
Weight loss (raw food is particularly rich in a type of fibre called cellulose, which helps in losing weight).
Reduced risk of heart disease

What's un-cooking in a raw-diet kitchen?

So you've decided to give the raw food diet (in its full or partial form) a go. Now comes the important question: what can you actually eat? Raw foodists eat all types of raw fruits, vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds, grains, sea vegetables, and other organic and natural foods that have not been processed or altered in any way. But as far as what you can do with these ingredients, your best bet is to invest in a raw food cookbook or simply do some research online for raw food recipes. Whether you choose to go fully raw or simply be a bit more raw-conscious, you're sure to benefit from the heightened nutrition that raw food has to offer.