Benefits of a Raw Food Detox Diet

The Raw Foods Detox Diet plan is based on a book written by nutritionist Natalia Rose. It contains steps to help gradually change your eating habits and decrease your dependency on cooked foods. The purpose of this diet is for the body to gain the maximum amount of live enzymes, which aid to cleanse out toxins. Weight loss is also achieved through waste removal and the reduced consumption of high fat, refined and sugary foods.

Significance

A raw foods diet works on the basis that at least 75 percent of food consumed is unprocessed and unchanged by heat. Cooking at temperatures higher than 115 degrees is thought to degrade the nutritional value of foods by destroying essential live enzymes. Typical foods included in the diet are raw fruits, vegetables, sprouted grains, nuts, seeds and legumes. Foods should be prepared as close to their natural state as possible. They may be blended, juiced or slowly dehydrated.

Types

Begin a raw foods diet by starting at one of five detox transition levels. Choose a level you are comfortable with and take your time transitioning to the next level.

Level five allows one cooked meal a day, which is usually a vegetarian dish. Small amounts of animal protein are permitted, including eggs, chicken and fish. Dairy is limited to unpasteurized or non-homogenized products and goat cheese. Level five requires 70 percent raw food consumption.

Levels four to two increase the percentage of raw foods you are are required to eat and slowly eliminates animal protein and dairy. This helps you safely move from an omnivorous diet to one that is completely vegan.

Level one requires the consumption of only raw fruit, vegetables and juices during the day. One vegan meal of uncooked foods is allowed for dinner. Salmon may be eaten once a week. Level one requires a diet of 100 percent raw foods.

Physical Health Benefits

Benefits of a raw foods diet may include weight loss, improved digestion, increased skin clarity, higher resistance to cold and flu viruses, reduced menstrual cramps, irregularity and heaviness of flow, improved digestion and bowel movement, less constipation, and a reduction of bladder/kidney infections and hemorrhoids. A study published in "The Journal of Nutrition" showed proof of lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels in those consuming raw foods, reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease. People have reported an increase in energy levels, contributing to improved flexibility, muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance. Raw foods may help reduce dependency on addictive substances and medication, and aid in battling chronic illnesses.

Mental and Emotional Health Benefits

In an investigation involving over 500 people adopting a raw foods diet for two years, Lenka J. Zajic found that overall stress levels dropped dramatically among the group. 85.5 percent of respondents reported an improved mental and emotional state resulting directly from a change in diet. A raw foods diet may help battle depression, chronic fatigue, anxiety related disorders, sleep disorders and PMS-related mood symptoms.

Warning

Some foods are toxic when eaten raw, such as buckwheat greens, alfalfa seeds/spouts and cassava. Raw eggs may contain salmonella and should not be eaten by the very young and the elderly, or by those in poor health. Use caution to avoid food poisoning, especially when handling raw meat. Wash your hands before preparing meals, and keep edibles refrigerated. Buy fresh organic produce when possible, and avoid restaurants where food handling is questionable.