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Raw food diet is an eating plan which emphasizes on eating uncooked, unprocessed foods, heated not more than 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Most raw fruit diet are typically based on plant based foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, sprouted grains, dried fruits and beans which are loaded with lots of healthful nutrients. Eggs, fish and meat and dairy may also be included. The idea behind eating uncooked food is to retain the healthful enzymes and water-soluble vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C, which is often lost after cooking. The proponents of raw food diet claim that since they are more natural sources, they can help to flush out toxins from your body, provide more energy and help you lose weight. Rightfully raw food diet offers lots of benefit to our body but there can be some possible downsides also.
Let Us Discuss Here Are Pros And Cons Of Raw Food Diet.
The Pros Of A Raw Food Diet
1. Raw Food Is High In Nutritional Value
The proponent of raw foods believe that cooking food deactivate and destroys natural enzymes and nutrients that our body need for breaking down the foods. Eating raw foods preserve these enzymes and nutrients and, you get more vitamin C and B vitamins. Some good bacteria in foods are destroyed when heated. Eating raw foods help you to consume a particular food in its most unprocessed form. For example when you eat an apple uncooked, you are getting all the mineral, fiber and phytonutrients it contains; but when you peel the apple and prepare applesauce, it loses lot of its nutritional value.
2. Raw Foods Are Free Of Preservatives And Unhealthy Additives
One of greatest benefit of raw food diet are they are low in sodium and also free from preservatives, added sugar and unhealthy additives. Raw food diet is typically based on unrefined, unprocessed diet free of Tran’s fats and saturated fats. Most foods we eat today are loaded with sugar and other unhealthy additives which are making us making us prone to life threatening diseases.
3. Raw Foods Are Low In Calories And High In Fiber
Raw foods are high in fiber healthy fats and low in calories. Fiber is superpower nutrient which keeps helping you fuller for longer and this can further help to make healthy eating choices throughout the day. Fiber help throw out toxins from the body, helps in slow and healthy digestion and feeling refreshed and energetic.
4. Raw Food Keeps Toxins At Bay
Some studies have found that cooking food may increase the risk of releasing carcinogens that can be harmful for health. Like one such study reveals that cooked meat produces excess ammonia and uric acid in our body which have toxic effect on our system. Similarly the protein in cooked foods when overheated gets denatured and cannot be transformed into amino acid. The kidneys don’t allow all these substance pass through easily, which often leads to formation of kidney stones. Foods coked at higher temperature may contain possible carcinogen. Raw food diet reduces this risk. We get protection from cancer, high blood pressure and heart disease.
5. Raw Food Aids Weight Loss
Since raw food keeps you fuller for longer, it reduces your cravings for junk food. When you eat less junk and processed food, raw food diet helps to maintain and lose weight. Cooking makes the food more acidic. Eating raw foods help you to shift you more alkaline state.
6. Raw Food Keeps Skin Healthy
Eating raw fruits, vegetable, fruits and nuts are also excellent for your skin. And if you are environmental conscious, eating raw food will help to save gas, electricity etc. and reduce your carbon footprint.
The Cons Of Raw Food Diet
1. Raw Food Lacks Essential Nutrients
One cannot get all the essential nutrients from raw food diet, studies have shown that those who strictly follow only raw food diet are often found deficient in nutrients like vitamin B12, Vitamin D. iron, and calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, most dedicated raw foodists can be at the risk of having low bone density and can suffer from osteoporosis. It is true that our body absorbs some nutrients better from raw foods like vitamin C, as they easily get destroyed after cooking, but there are certain key nutrients which are released only after cooking like carotenoids in carrots or lycopene.
2. Raw Food Is Difficult To Digest
Cooking makes food easily digestible and safer. Cooking breakdowns certain nutrients and makes it easy for our stomach to digest. Raw diet is often nutritionally inadequate; because in raw food diet you will miss out many superfoods that are high in nutrients but can’t be eaten raw like whole grains, beans and lean protein etc.
3. Raw Food May Contain Harmful Bacteria
Uncooked and unpasteurized food is often linked to food-borne illness. Cooking food kills harmful bacteria for example salmonella that are often found in food. So, while eating raw food one should be extra careful. Some foods that can toxic when eaten raw like are eggs, kidney beans, buckwheat, unpasteurized juices, lettuce, sprouts, green onion raw meat etc. One can suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive problem.
4. Raw Food Diet Is Impractical
The bottom line is raw food diet is nutritionally inadequate. It is also hard to continue for long term because it is highly restrictive. Raw and cooked foods both offers distinct benefit and downsides. So, it is better to mix them up for an optimal healthy diet.
