Health Benefits of Eating an All-Raw Diet
When I was finally diagnosed, I had to do something I’ve never done to achieve something that I have never had. Therefore, I embarked on a raw food diet. It was my hope to give my body all the vital nutrients that it needed so that it would be nourished, cleansed and prepped for healing.
I had no idea where this journey would take me. Years later, I am still going strong with no need to look back or return to the way I used to eat.
My diet consists of mainly fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
An all-raw diet, often referred to as a “raw food diet,” consists primarily of uncooked, unprocessed, and mostly plant-based foods.
My diet consists of mainly fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Below are the key health benefits of eating a raw diet and how it may impact overall well-being.
1. Increases Nutrient Density
How it Helps: Raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes that support overall health. Cooking food can degrade certain heat-sensitive nutrients like vitamin C, folate, and some phytonutrients.
Key Nutrients Preserved:
Vitamin C: Important for immune health and collagen production.
Folate: Crucial for DNA synthesis and brain health.
Enzymes: Natural enzymes in raw foods support digestion and nutrient absorption.
Benefit: Better nutrient intake may improve energy, immunity, and cellular repair.
2. Supports Healthy Digestion
How it Helps: Raw foods, especially fruits, vegetables, seeds, and sprouted foods, are high in dietary fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. Fiber also feeds beneficial gut bacteria, promoting a balanced gut microbiome.
Key Benefits:
Prebiotic Fiber: Feeds beneficial gut bacteria, supporting gut health.
Enzymes: Raw foods contain natural enzymes (like bromelain in pineapples and papain in papayas) that aid in digestion.
Reduced Constipation: Fiber prevents constipation by adding bulk to stool and supporting healthy intestinal transit.
3. Reduces Inflammation
How it Helps: A raw diet is high in anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, and omega-3-rich seeds (chia, flax, hemp). By eliminating processed foods, refined sugars, and trans fats, I saw a reduction in chronic inflammation.
Why It Matters: Chronic inflammation is linked to autoimmune diseases, arthritis, heart disease, and certain cancers. Reducing inflammation may improve symptoms of chronic illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Anti-Inflammatory Compounds:
Polyphenols: Found in raw fruits like berries, grapes, and cherries.
Omega-3s: Found in seeds like chia, flax, and hemp.
4. Enhances Weight Loss and Metabolism
How it Helps: Raw diets are naturally low in calories, high in fiber, and free from processed sugar, refined grains, and unhealthy fats. This combination leads to increased satiety, reduced caloric intake, and improved metabolism.
5. Increases Energy Levels
How it Helps: I noticed an increase in my energy levels after adopting a raw diet. That is one of the main reasons why I plan to continue this lifestyle. Prior to eating a raw diet, I was always weak and lacking energy.
6. Improves Skin Health
How it Helps: A raw diet is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and water-dense fruits and vegetables, all of which support collagen production, hydration, and skin health. In the first three months of going on a raw food diet, the first sign that I witnessed was my skin health improved drastically. I used to wear foundation all the time, but now I occasionally wear lipstick only and often receive compliments on how my skin glows. I attribute it to the drastic change in my diet.
Hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumber, and oranges naturally hydrate the skin. Those are some of my favorite foods that I eat regularly.
For more information on eating whole raw foods, check out these articles.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10949923
https://nutritionstudies.org/a-whole-food-plant-based-approach-to-autoimmune-diseases-in-4-steps