Understanding Raw Food Diets
Raw food diets focus mainly on eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains that are not cooked or processed. Some people say these diets can help with health, but research shows mixed results.
More Nutrients: Raw foods usually have more vitamins and minerals. Cooking can destroy some of these nutrients. For example, if you boil broccoli, it can lose more than half of its vitamin C.
Weight Loss: A study in 2019 found that eating a lot of raw foods could help people weigh less. The average weight index (BMI) for raw food eaters was 21.4, compared to 27.8 for those who mostly ate cooked foods.
Lower Disease Risk: Eating a raw food diet might help keep cholesterol low, which is good for heart health. One study showed that people following a raw vegan diet had a 30% lower chance of heart disease.
Missing Nutrients: Raw food diets might not have important nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and iodine. The National Institutes of Health says that over half of people on certain diets may not get enough B12.
Stomach Issues: Some people have trouble digesting raw foods because they can contain substances that make it harder to absorb minerals.
Health Concerns: Eating raw foods can increase the chance of getting sick from bacteria. The CDC estimates that raw vegetables cause about 50% of food-related illnesses in the U.S.
In short, raw food diets can have some health perks, but they also come with risks that need to be thought about carefully.
Understanding Raw Food Diets
Raw food diets focus mainly on eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and grains that are not cooked or processed. Some people say these diets can help with health, but research shows mixed results.
More Nutrients: Raw foods usually have more vitamins and minerals. Cooking can destroy some of these nutrients. For example, if you boil broccoli, it can lose more than half of its vitamin C.
Weight Loss: A study in 2019 found that eating a lot of raw foods could help people weigh less. The average weight index (BMI) for raw food eaters was 21.4, compared to 27.8 for those who mostly ate cooked foods.
Lower Disease Risk: Eating a raw food diet might help keep cholesterol low, which is good for heart health. One study showed that people following a raw vegan diet had a 30% lower chance of heart disease.
Missing Nutrients: Raw food diets might not have important nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, and iodine. The National Institutes of Health says that over half of people on certain diets may not get enough B12.
Stomach Issues: Some people have trouble digesting raw foods because they can contain substances that make it harder to absorb minerals.
Health Concerns: Eating raw foods can increase the chance of getting sick from bacteria. The CDC estimates that raw vegetables cause about 50% of food-related illnesses in the U.S.
In short, raw food diets can have some health perks, but they also come with risks that need to be thought about carefully.