What Are Raw Food Natural Health Products?

Raw foods NHPs are characterised by containing ingredients that have not been subjected to heat - above 48 degrees centigrade (115to 120° Fahrenheit) during manufacture. Subjecting nutrients to cooking or heat destroys their enzymes which are essential for their therapeutic benefit.  Without the presence of these enzymes, we simply do not get the full, life-supporting, health-promoting potential from our food. Further, cooking at high temperatures causes a drastic loss of vitamins and minerals and produces various carcinogens to appear in our food. 

Raw foods provide far larger quantities of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, probiotics and enzymes. So, in essence, raw foods are much closer to their living state: full of energy, growing and thriving. In fact, raw food is special specifically because it is raw. Because of the fact that the food hasn’t been heat-treated, it is replete with everything that enabled it to grow in the first place – life force, enzymes, water, oxygen, naturally occurring hormones, vitamins and minerals and so much more. Untouched, untainted, raw food is simply real food, without hidden ingredients, nothing converted, adjusted or modified, just pure, fresh, live food, such as nature intended.

As well, contrary to popular belief, plant-based foods contain tremendous quantities of high-quality protein, which is far easier for the body to digest and assimilate than traditional animal protein sources. The reason for this is simple: plant proteins are contained within plant cell walls (cellulose). When consumed this fiber passes through our system and acts as a bulking agent, promoting regular bowel movements. In contrast, animal proteins are delivered within animal cell walls, which are made up of lipids which the body has difficulty breaking down, making absorption difficult, potentially causing constipation, or damage to the GI tract and cardiovascular system. 

The Magic of Sprouting

Before we go into the specifics of why sprouting is so nutritious, it may be helpful to first take a look at the chemical makeup of seeds, grains and legumes. In fact, it should be noted that plants (seeds/grains/legumes), though they offer tremendous nutritional advantages, all contain anti-nutrients, such as phytic acid, that lock up the nutritive value of the food. Fortunately, these anti-nutrients can be neutralized through the sprouting process, and in turn, all of the nutritional advantages of the plant are unlocked and accessible. When consumed, phytic acid binds with calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc, making it next to impossible for the body to absorb these nutrients. Sprouting however, neutralizes phytic acid and unlocks a plant’s abundant nutritional potential. Sprouting also neutralizes enzyme inhibitors, which not only inhibit the enzymes in the actual plant, but also inhibit our own enzymes when we consume it.

Sprouting also naturally increases food’s digestibility, and in turn makes its nutrients far more bioavailable. On a purely nutritional level, sprouting increases a plant’s enzyme content, enzymatic potential, protein quality, crude fiber, vitamin and essential fatty acid content and it chelates its minerals (pre-digests them, making them far more bioavailable). As such, sprouts are of extremely high biological value (often comparable to that of mother’s milk); are rich in digestible energy, bioavailable vitamins and minerals, amino acids, proteins, beneficial enzymes and phytochemicals; and are extremely alkalinizing to the body. 

Raw food benefits

So, after having explored the ins and outs of all things raw, it would seem that a raw food diet offers plenty of undeniable advantages to health. Flavourful, varied, nutritious, delicious, easy to prepare and offering immeasurable benefits to health, raw foods are gaining in popularity for a reason, and one that can only be understood by trying it out for yourself.

As your metabolism begins to rev up in response to the health, nutrition-packed raw foods entering your body, you’ll experience mental clarity like you never knew; your skin will start to glow; your body’s organs will begin to function more and more efficiently; you’ll start to feel more energized and alert so you’ll literally start to feel more alive. Once you’ve experienced firsthand the many benefits of consuming raw foods, you’ll come to comprehend what a profound impact an organic, clean, vegan, non-GMO, raw diet, replete with cellular plant life, and robust sprouted nutrition can truly offer your health and how completely it can transform your life.