The word “raw food diet” refers to a diet that mostly consists of raw fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Such a diet, which can help treat diabetes, a metabolic disorder that results in excessive blood sugar, is suggested by multiple research. Is it real, though? Yes, but how?
“Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days” is a documentary that follows the lives of six diabetic Americans who change to a vegan, organic, raw diet. Some participants were able to entirely stop using their diabetic drugs by the end of the month, while others noticed a significant decrease in the quantity of insulin and other prescriptions they were taking.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Jhingan, Senior Director – BLK-Max Centre for Diabetes, Thyroid, Obesity and Endocrinology, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, explained why a healthy diet is essential for treating diabetes: “Healthy eating not only helps in controlling blood sugar levels but also maintain a healthy weight. According to studies, including raw foods in the diet on a regular basis may aid in the treatment of diabetes.
The “non-activated enzymes which are contained in raw meals,” he said, are to blame. These enzymes frequently lose a moderate to high proportion of their health advantages to the body following cooking or processing.
According to Dr. Priyanka Rohatgi, Chief Clinical Dietician at Apollo Hospitals in Bangalore, another reason is that raw foods are chewier and higher in fibre, and they retain their nutritional value even after being heated and processed. Therefore, they release energy steadily and stabilise sugar since they are rich in phytonutrients, minerals, and have no additives. One should consume them in moderation since they are not addicting as processed junk food is.
The specialists emphasised that a raw food diet only helps to “manage,” not “reverse,” the illness.
A raw food diet: what is it?
According to Dr. Pragti Gupta of the SR Institute of Ayurveda Science, the raw food diet, also known as “rawism” or “rawism,” has been used for centuries to cure a number of diseases, including diabetes.
If food has never been cooked above 104–118°F (40–48°C), it is considered raw. (Source: Thinkstock/Getty Images)
He said, “The basic tenet of raw foodism is to avoid all types of processing, such as cooking, microwaving, genetic engineering, and pesticides. If food has never been cooked above 104–118°F (40–48°C), it is considered raw.
A raw food diet, according to Dr. Jhingan, mostly consists of legumes, fresh vegetables, grains, seeds, seaweed, nuts, and unprocessed organic foods. For those with a sweet craving, he recommended freezing wonderful cookies made with raw oats, maple syrup, and raw almonds as opposed to baking them in the oven.
Dietary advantages of raw foods
A raw food diet is advantageous for controlling diabetes since it is “rich in potassium, fibre, magnesium, phytochemicals, and folate and low in salt,” as was previously mentioned.
All of these benefits of a raw food diet, according to Dr. Jhingan, reduce the risk of diabetes and its consequences, such as heart disease and cancer.
However, doctors suggest that a raw food diet has various other advantages besides regulating blood sugar levels. Dr. Gupta stated, “Consuming a raw food diet is related with a variety of other benefits, including weight loss, more vitality, better energy, improved treatment of chronic illnesses, enhanced general health, and a slight negative environmental effect.
Potential dangers
Dr. Jhingan emphasised that food changes are not fully necessary for diabetics to control their condition. Along with exercise and weight control, adding more raw produce to the diet gradually can be quite beneficial.
Thoroughly wash the uncooked meat and veggies (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock).
Additionally, when ingesting raw food products, one must exercise caution since “if the raw material is not rinsed adequately. Due to pesticide residues, it could result in food poisoning, said Dr. Rohatgi.
She also mentioned that consuming bigger servings of raw foods might cause bloating.
Don’ts and Dos
You must remember these important dos and don’ts before switching to a raw food diet, as advised by Dr. Rohatgi.
Do’s
Wash the raw ingredients and vegetables properly. Stick to recommended serving sizes. Slowly introduce novel combinations.
Don’ts
Avoid eating in a hurry and remember to wash any raw fruits or vegetables.
