Tale of Two Raws

When you begin to explore the raw food world, one of the first things you will see is lots of space taken up with discussions about enzymes, what they are, where you get them and how so many of them are destroyed by high heat.

Not that I’m going to be the definitive voice here, but I am going to give you the low down in bullets, and links for you if you choose to learn more.

• “Enzymes are protein-based molecules that act as biological catalysts,” says David Wolfe. “In fact, enzymes should be thought of as the necessary element in moving stagnation out of the body - whether that is in the form of excess weight, toxins, or even repetitive negative thoughts.”
• Enzymes are found in raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and help break down the foods we eat.
• According to the article, Beautifying Your Insides, from the Health Queen, the process starts in your mouth with your saliva. As you chew your food, the enzymes in your saliva begin to break down starchy carbohydrates, thus the reason for chewing your food throughly. “When we eat raw foods, we are able to take full advantage of the enzymes present in the food and our bodies are taxed less to provide additional enzymes to complete digestion. Conversely, when we eat cooked foods, enzymes are destroyed and the full burden to digest the food is placed on the body.”
• As the your meal slides down into your stomach the hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes go to work digesting what you ate into an ooze which then slips into your small intestine where the pancreatic enzymes do their thing.
• Without enough enzymes, (did I mention they decrease with age, disease and/or stress?) our bodies’ ability to digest food and absorb nutrients is greatly effected.
• Raw food is loaded with healthy vibrant enzymes ready and waiting to help your body be the best it can be.
• You may not have any digestive issues, and be grateful for that. If you do, you can take supplemental digestive enzymes and eat many fresh raw foods. You will feel a difference.

Here is a link to everything about enzymes - from their possible role in autism to leaky gut and more.