Uncooked food better for diet
Alyssa Montalbano - Daily Pennsylvanian (U. Penn)
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Health and Fitness
(U-WIRE) PHILADELPHIA - Fruits. Sprouts. Nuts. Grains. Seaweed? The common factor among all of these food products is that they are part of the raw food diet.
The raw food diet is becoming increasingly popular, especially on the West Coast. Raw food restaurants have opened up all around the world, including five restaurants in Boston.
The diet consists of unprocessed, uncooked or organic foods, which means that this diet is at least 70 percent uncooked.
The different foods include fresh vegan foods, all raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, sprouts, root vegetables and squashes, fresh herbs and raw spices and seaweeds.
"Heating foods above 115 degrees Fahrenheit is believed to destroy enzymes in food that can assist in digestion and absorption of food," wrote Cathy Wong, in her article "Raw Food Diet."
According to Wong, cooking food can take the flavor out of it, as well as decrease the nutritional value.
Reed Mangels, member of the University of Massachusetts nutrition department, focuses on vegetarian diets and is familiar with the raw food diet since many raw-food consumers, also referred to as foodists, are vegetarians.
When asked if food that is cooked above 115 degrees does in fact cause the loss of enzymes and drain the food of its nutritional value, Mangels had an answer ready.
"No," Mangels said. "Enzymes are proteins; and in the process of digestion in people's stomach, any enzymes present in a food are denatured and no longer active. This does not affect the food's nutritional value."
The raw food diet does have advantages, including increased energy and improved skin appearance. Weight loss, better digestion and a reduced risk of heart disease are increased while following the diet.
"A raw food diet is typically high in fruits and vegetables that provide substantial amounts of fiber, vitamins and some minerals," Mangels said.
The raw food diet also has less trans fats and saturated fats.
Both fats raise blood cholesterol level, according to the American Heart Association, which can lead to coronary heart disease and a risk in strokes and heart attacks. The diet is also low in sodium and high in potassium, magnesium and folate, a natural source of vitamin B9 found in foods such as beans, vegetables and peas.
The raw food diet is becoming increasingly popular, especially on the West Coast. Raw food restaurants have opened up all around the world, including five restaurants in Boston.
The diet consists of unprocessed, uncooked or organic foods, which means that this diet is at least 70 percent uncooked.
The different foods include fresh vegan foods, all raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, sprouts, root vegetables and squashes, fresh herbs and raw spices and seaweeds.
"Heating foods above 115 degrees Fahrenheit is believed to destroy enzymes in food that can assist in digestion and absorption of food," wrote Cathy Wong, in her article "Raw Food Diet."
According to Wong, cooking food can take the flavor out of it, as well as decrease the nutritional value.
Reed Mangels, member of the University of Massachusetts nutrition department, focuses on vegetarian diets and is familiar with the raw food diet since many raw-food consumers, also referred to as foodists, are vegetarians.
When asked if food that is cooked above 115 degrees does in fact cause the loss of enzymes and drain the food of its nutritional value, Mangels had an answer ready.
"No," Mangels said. "Enzymes are proteins; and in the process of digestion in people's stomach, any enzymes present in a food are denatured and no longer active. This does not affect the food's nutritional value."
The raw food diet does have advantages, including increased energy and improved skin appearance. Weight loss, better digestion and a reduced risk of heart disease are increased while following the diet.
"A raw food diet is typically high in fruits and vegetables that provide substantial amounts of fiber, vitamins and some minerals," Mangels said.
The raw food diet also has less trans fats and saturated fats.
Both fats raise blood cholesterol level, according to the American Heart Association, which can lead to coronary heart disease and a risk in strokes and heart attacks. The diet is also low in sodium and high in potassium, magnesium and folate, a natural source of vitamin B9 found in foods such as beans, vegetables and peas.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
vegwriter
Judy Pokras
posted 4/05/08 @ 2:28 PM EST
I'm happy to see that you're covering such an important topic. As a journalist myself, I understand your need to cover more than one side of the story. (Continued…)
Amazon Herbs
posted 4/06/08 @ 3:52 AM EST
People can get plenty of protein, calcium and zinc from a raw food diet. If they are not getting enough sunlight, they can supplement with vitamin D. All vegetarians and vegans should take B-12 supplelments but so should meat eaters. (Continued…)
Cardiovascular Health
posted 9/20/09 @ 5:31 AM EST
Another nutrient that raw foodists and vegetarians have to look for is omega-3. This is an essential fatty acid that lubricates joints, brain and arteries. (Continued…)
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