Raw food is the food that is not heated above 48°C while processed therefore the food preserves its natural texture and its natural vitamin, mineral and enzyme content. Vitamin C, the B complex and enzymes are especially sensitive to any temperature change and enzymes are one of the molecules that are mainly responsible for easy digestion of the consumed food.

 

What are the four most important building blocks that our bodies need to function?  Vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytonutrients. Let's take a look at each of these and what they do for you.

 

 

 

Vitamins

 

 

One of reasons to eat raw as much as possible is to keep vitamins intact , especially vitamin C and B that are more sensitive to any environmental change. When cooking most nutrients in the food get destroyed completely and without them our body is not able to maintain its natural and healthy vitality. It hinders cellular processes, digestion as well as metabolism.

 

Minerals

 

In order to maintain health the body needs minerals to survive and carry out daily functions and processes. Minerals are part of all body tissues and fluids. Although they only make up approximately 4% of the body's mass they play a crucial role in most of the psychological functions that the body performs to sustain itself. They are necessary for proper nerve responses, building and maintaining strong healthy bones and teeth, muscle contractions, maintaining body's fluid balance, regulating electrolyte and hormone balance, and keeping metabolism of all nutrients in check.

Minerals can mainly be found in soil and rocks. The body cannot make them therefore we need to obtain them by eating plants that absorb them from the earth.

 

Enzymes

 

Thanks to decades of dedicated work, Dr Edward Howell, physician and researcher, has uncovered that the primary reason behind declined physical health is an enzyme deficient diet. The importance of enzymes lies in their biological force that science cannot measure nor can synthesize. Up until today thousands of enzymes have been identified but presumably there are many more yet to be discovered. 

Enzymes are pure protein molecules found in cells. Every cell, tissue and organ in our body depends upon the action of the enzymes. They are “the basic catalysts of life” and thanks to them that our body functions, repair, heals and gets rid of toxins. Everybody knows we need good quality vitamins and minerals but not everyone knows that vitamins and minerals do not get activated unless they are united with enzymes. Enzymes are categorized in three groups: metabolic, digestive and food/plant enzymes. Food enzymes are essential for proper digestion as they are directly in connection with our health and longevity. Everyone of us is born with a limited amount of enzymes in our body that reduces slowly over time that can also be influenced by many factors e.g. genetic, diet, lifestyle, how much processed food we eat and how toxic the environment we live in. All these can lead to the exhaustion of our enzyme potential and compromised digestion.Therefore we need to consume more enzymes via enzyme-rich raw food.

 

Raw diet cleans, alkalises, reduces constant cravings, energises, helps to maintain or build hormonal balance, hydrates, helps proper functioning of the digestive system, strengthens the immune system, helps to reach and maintain your ideal body weight and slows down the ageing process in the body.

 

The four living food groups:

 

Fresh food

Fresh food is all kind of raw food that can be consumed without processing or preparing the food. For example: fruits, vegetables, fresh herbs and every other harvestable food found in nature and in gardens.

 

Sprouted food

Sprouted food is all kind of seeds, nuts and beans that can be sprouted after a given time at an airy and bright spot.

 

Cultured food

Sprouted food is all kind of raw food that is produces by anaerobe fermentation.

 

Dehydrated Food

Dehydrated food is all kinds of raw food that is produced by dehydrating them at low temperature; therefore its texture will change but its storage and nutrients will remain as it was in its original state.

 

I believe that raw alimentation is one of the purest, tastiest and most nutrient rich way of consuming our meals.