The Raw Food Diet

Advocates of raw foodism (which include celebrities Carol Alt, Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone, Donna Karan, and Lisa Bonet) believe that cooking and processing fruits and vegetables drastically reduce or destroy the nutrients and helpful enzymes found naturally in them. Aside from helping lose weight, raw foodists also claim that raw foods are easier to digest, and harbor (harmless) microorganisms that could stabilize the gut flora. There was even a study that suggests that raw food consumption may reduce risks of certain cancers, and the authors believe it is due to the higher concentration of heat-labile anti-cancer compounds in uncooked foods.

Without having done in-depth research, I can easily see the benefits of eating food as natural as they come. Back to basics, so to say. If you are thinking of subscribing to the raw food diet, however, make sure you know the potential risks of strictly adhering to raw foodism so you can find ways to consciously prevent them.

Thanks to reader Krista for the story tip!