Raw Food Vs Cooked Food: Which Is Best?

Friday, December 11, 2015, 11:12 [IST]

In ancient times, people used to consume raw uncooked food, as they were unaware of the cooking processes until fire was invented. It is a common notion today to eat food in its raw form (salads), as we are known to receive most of the nutrients from raw food. The process of cooking may destroy most of the nutrients such as proteins and vitamins. However, is raw food really good for your health?

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In this article, you will find out the answer, whether raw food or cooked food is best. We all know that raw fruits and vegetables preserve more nutrients than the cooked ones. It is true; however, thatit can weaken your digestive system. If food is cooked in a proper way, it can be more beneficial than the raw food.

Cooked food also preserves the nutrients, if prepared on a low heat. As per ayurvedic science, cooking increases the fire of the digestive tract, which in turn helps in the process of digestion.

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A properly digested food is well absorbed in the blood. Since all the nutrients from the cooked food enter the blood, malnutrition can be prevented. Read on to find out what ayurveda says about raw and cooked food.

Why You Should Avoid Raw Food

Eating raw uncooked food has many damaging effects on the body, according to ayurveda. Raw food weakens our digestive system, leads to food cravings, decreases body temperature, causes infertility, hair loss, lack of vitality, insomnia (sleeplessness) and dental problems.

When To Eat Raw Foods

Raw vegetables or fruits (salads) are best eaten during lunch time, during summers. It is best to avoid raw food during dinner time and winter or foggy season when the weather is too cold.

How To Consume Raw Foods

Fruit and vegetable juices are the best form of raw foods that you can consume. In this way, you will get all the nutrients present in them. Liquid food is easy to absorb and easy to digest.

Raw Foods For Detox

Fruits and vegetables such as basil, pears, apple, papaya, berries, pineapple, etc, help in removing toxins from the body. Have these raw foods in the form of juices. You can also have vegetable soups such as those made from cabbages, green leafs with spices such as ginger, turmeric, coriander, fenugreek and fennel, which also help in the detoxification process.

Why Vegetables Need To Be Cooked

According to ayurveda, vegetables are sweet, dry and heavy in nature and need to be cooked. However, some people can easily digest raw vegetables and some can't. People who practice yoga can digest raw foods better as compared to people who live a sedentary life.

How Food Should Be Cooked

To preserve the nutrients present in your food, you must cook it on a low heat. According to ayurveda, slow cooking increases the assimilation of nutrients in the food and makes them bioavailable. This means that they can be easily digested and absorbed. Thus, cooked food helps us to avail all the benefits of the food, without harming the digestive tract.

Avoid Microwave Cooking

Excess heat in the microwave oven can cause the food molecules to explode. This causes them to collide with each other and create friction, heat and formation of free radicals. These free radicals can enter the body and may cause various damaging effects, including cancer.

How To Cook Food In The Best Way

It is best to cook food with spices such as turmeric, fennel, black pepper, cumin and coriander. It is best to freshly prepare your food before consumption. Avoid overcooked or burnt food, as they can cause a lot of damage to the body.

Avoid These Foods

You must avoid refrigerated foods, raw foods, spicy foods, fried foods, caffeine-rich foods and soft drinks to have a better digestive system and body. Also, try to have cooked foods at the same time daily. This improves your digestive process by increasing the digestive fire in you, as per ayurveda.

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