Raw Food Diet: Basic Claims Made

All versions of the raw food diet make some interesting, if unfounded, claims. Not to say that one of the claims is actually true. The raw food diet will produce dramatic weight loss. The zealots that promote the raw food diet claim other benefits. Taken together, there are three main claims made.

1. Raw food is healthier than cooked food. 2. Raw food is more nutritious than cooked food. 3. Raw food safe and sustainable.

Let’s take each of these claims separately.

Raw Food Diet: Raw Food is Healthier than Cooked Food

This claim is overwhelmingly not supported by available evidence. There are a small number of studies that support the claim of improved health. The vast majority do not. Some findings point to lower blood lipids with the HDL (good cholesterol) levels were unusually low. This led to dangerously low levels of vitamin B12. Other studies suggest that following a raw food diet leads to significant tooth enamel erosion. Studies affirmed that followers of the raw food diet had lowered body fat and body weight. This led to bone density loss associated with low body fat. Additionally, these studies showed low calorie and protein intake. The bone loss was explained as a lack of calcium in the diet. Protein is also not readily available in the raw food diet either.

In all, the evidence shows that long-term adherence to a raw food diet is harmful to one’s health. Clearly, the risks are real and harmful.

Raw Food Diet: Raw Food is more Nutritious than Cooked Food

Within this larger claim, there are a few separate claims. A few sound reasonable. One sounds like a psychedelic hallucination. One claim is that cooking destroys nutrients. Well, this is only partly true. Yes some nutrients are leached out of foods while cooking. It is, however, also true that cooking is a transformative process. One of the transformations is that cooking releases nutrients and enzymes that require heat to be released. In all, this claim is a stand-off.

Another claim is that enzymes are destroyed in cooking. True again, but those same enzymes are destroyed in the stomach after eating raw food. This one is also a wash.

Finally, and this one truly makes me laugh, cooking destroys the ‘life force’ of the food. The ‘life force’ is a mysterious attribute of raw foods. The mystery, however, is not defined beyond the tautological, “It’s a mystery, man.” This is not evidence. Rather it is some kind of new age spiritual thought that requires faith to accept. As many already know, I am skeptical of claims made without evidence to support the claim. There is no support for the ‘life force’ of a plant. Oh, and by the way, when you eat the plant why is that not harmful to this ‘life force?’

Taken as a whole, the claim that raw foods are more nutritious than cooked food, the evidence does not fully support the claim. At best nutrition is neutral as to raw or cooked foods.

Raw Food Diet is Safe and Sustainable

Proponents of the raw food diet claim that the diet is both safe and sustainable. We have already called into question the safety of the diet. A solution to the safety issue would be to take protein and vitamin supplements. Good idea but sadly supplements are taboo on the purist version of the raw food diet.

Sustainability is really a question of meeting a rather harsh challenge. The list of acceptable foods is far shorter than the list of banned foods. The variety of choice on a raw food diet is quite limited. People report being bored when the talk about why they dropped the raw food diet and returning to cooked food. Another issue is that the preparation of raw food is highly limited when compared to cooked food diets. Again a factor of boring affects sustainability.

The Healing Power Of Vegetarian Diets

In the 1960’s chefs started to experiment with cooking without meat. But the meals were often tasteless. But now-a-days after experiencing for more than a quarter of a century, cooks are combining fruits, vegetables grains, and legumes in exciting new ways. The tastes are so good that even large restaurants are now offering meatless meals.

As a result, more than 30 million Americans, including one in three teens, have tried vegetarian meals, according to the American Dietetic Association. They like the health benefits and how good the food tastes. Vegetarian diets have changed, but one thing stayed the same: a plant based diet , which is low in saturated fat, high in fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and a powerful array of protective chemicals. This is the ultimate prescription for a longer and healthier life, according to Virginia Messina, MPH, R.D. a dietitian in Port Townsend, Washington, and coauthor of The Vegetarian Way.

Research results have showed that vegetarians have lower rates of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, type two diabetes and obesity than people who eat meat. According to British researchers, vegetarians have a 20% lower risk of fatal heart disease and a 40% lower risk of cancer.

Other studies found more positive facts. Fifty years ago a large study of 27,530 Seventh-Day Adventists, whose religion advocates a vegetarian diet, provided the first scientific link between vegetarian diets and better health. Researchers were amazed to discover that among the vegetarian Adventists, death rate from cancer were 50 to 70% lower than among other Americans. Since then, study after study has confirmed the benefits of vegetarian eating.

In China, where people eat little or no meat, diseases such as heart disease, breast cancer and diabetes, are far less common than in the United States. Naturally lean Something that makes vegetarian meals so healthy is that they don’t have all the saturated fat and cholesterol that comes from meat. In fact, while most Americans get about 36% of their total calories from fat, vegetarians get less, usually between 30% and 34%. And most of the fat they get is the healthier polyunsaturated and monounsaturated type – and not the dangerous saturated fat that comes from animal foods.

In one study, researchers put 500 people on a vegetarian diet. After twelve days, cholesterol levels had dropped an average of 11%.

Besides the fact that vegetarian meals don’t contain saturated fat that makes vegetarian meals so healthy, they also contain the “good” fats. According to studies, both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which are found in olive oil, canola oil, nuts, seeds, and many other plant foods, can lower the level of cholesterol when they’re used to replace saturated fat in the diet. And the omega-3 fatty acids found in some plant foods, such as walnuts and flaxeed, can further protect against heart disease by helping to keep artery walls flexible and supporting the electrical “system” within the heart that regulates a healthy heartbeat.

The Power of Plants Doctors in the US have been pleading with Americans for years to eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, the same foods that vegetarians eat in abundance. Most plant foods are loaded with antioxidants, like beta-carotene and vitamin C and E. They are essential to protect you against diseases. Also, plant foods contain an abundance of phytonutrients, which are natural plant compounds that have been shown to lower the risk of cataracts, heart disease, and many other serious problems.

In another study researchers found that people who got the most carotenoids, the plant pigment that are found in dark green and deep orange, yellow, and red fruits and vegetables, had half the risk of developing macular degeneration (the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in older adults) as people getting less.

Vegetarian diets cut the risk of breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer in a number of studies. The magic ingredients include a number of cancer-fighting phytochemicals. The naturally lower levels of saturated fat in most vegetarian diets (except those that rely heavily on cheese) avoid a problem which is connected with meat-rich diets: High-saturated fat diets seem to promote the production of a form of estrogen called estradiol, which is linked to breast cancer. In a study it showed that women who ate the most animal fats had a one-third higher risk of breast cancer than those who ate the least.

Another study found that vegetarians have higher levels of “natural killer cells” – special white blood cells that attack cancer cells – in their bloodstreams.

But even if you took all the nutrients out of plant foods, the vegetarian diet would still have an edge, because of all the dietary fiber it contains. The average American gets only 12 to 15 grams of fiber per day, while vegetarians are getting as much as three times that amount.

It is almost impossible to exaggerate the importance of getting enough dietary fiber. because it isn’t absorbed by the body, fiber passes through the digestive tract, adding bulk to stools and helping them to move more quickly. This does more than preventing constipation. The more quickly stools and any harmful substances they contain move through the colon, the less likely they are to do cellular damage that could lead to cancer.

Also, one type of fiber called soluble fiber, forms a gel in the intestine that helps to prevent fat and cholesterol from passing through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream. In a study of more than 43,000 men, for example, researchers found that those who added just 10 grams of fiber a day to their diets – about 25% of the amount vegetarians get each day – decreased their risk of heart disease by almost 30%.

Vegetarian diets also guard against other health issues, like kidney stones, gallstones, and asthma. Because high-protein diets with much meat prompt your body to excrete more calcium, oxalate, and uric acid – which are the main building blocks of kidney stones. Diets with a lot of meat increase the change of getting gallstones in women and could threaten bone density by prompting the excretion of calcium.

In a Swedish study of 24 women and men, vegetable-based meals cut the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.

Balance is the Key A vegetarian diet can provide all the nutrients your body needs, including protein. This is even true for strict vegetarians, who may avoid eggs, milk and other animal foods all together. The proteins in meat are complete, that means they contain all the amino acids your body needs. The proteins in legumes and grains, however, may be low in one or more of the amino acids, but because legumes and grains contain some amino acids, eating a variety of these foods throughout the day will provide the proper balance.

However, vegetarians have the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, which the body needs to make red blood cells. It’s only found in animal foods. People who don’t get enough vitamin B12 feel weak and tired. You can get plenty of vitamin B12 by eating foods which are fortified with this nutrient, such as fortified cereals, or/and you can take vitamin B12 supplements.

KILLING AND HUMANITY. THE QUESTION OF MEAT

Can such barbarity ever be called legal or moral ?

That is the question raised as the lamb for Sunday dinner cried gently for over five minutes as the knife cut deeply into its throat. The blood spurted out against the unadulterated beauty of the impeccably white creature, choking gradually in its sobs – and yet it seemed to accept its fate and stand still waiting to die. The butcher gasped, and struggled not to panic under the gaze of his bleach white wife. He swallowed visibly as if his throat was on fire and howled with such distress that his client, was torn between running away from that terrible place or falling unconscious with grief. Later, in recounting his experience to his family he stated that he had witnessed murder . This and hundreds of millions of times a year, is done in the name of humanity for a food source that is totally unnecessary, despite filling the plates of the general masses convinced that there is no alternative. Killing keep us alive. Killing to survive. Killing to satisfy appetites and even leave most of it on the plate. I was well on my way to becoming a vegetarian and had not reckoned with coming across something like that from close friends and it reminded me of an anguished country bred neighbor who had described his own experiences in the pursuit of the lawful killing of animals for food. “Never, ever again !“ he cried to me once. “ It just stood there and knelt down eventually as the enormous amount of blood gushed and filled the kitchen floor like a carpet of horror in an ancient temple. We thought that it was dead after all that loss of blood but as we bent over to pick it up, it bleated with such misery that threw us all into confusion. Then it started to get back on its feet, heaven knows how, but just stood there searching for our eyes and cried with such gentle indignation that will forever fill every corner of my soul. “

I almost memorized his complete commentary in the presence of others equally shaken. Later, during discussions with his wife who had been an unwilling witness to the execution, I realized with great clarity that it was plain murder and a violation of the human spirit if not of our proper existence. Our might and mental superiority appeared to be a huge, unprecedented mistake from which the animal kingdom would never emerge alive. Nature had created a totally ignorant and destruction entity which weighed far too heavily against the rest of its global creations. The butcher had only done his job but from that point onwards, the deed had transformed the destinies of the whole family which swore to a man to become vegetarians somehow. That was ten years ago and today they live overshadowed by the miserable deaths that they had caused in their lifetimes and mainly of young beautiful creatures who had often played with their own children. “We still relive the killings in our minds and often wake up sweating with horror as the images turn over and over again into an instrument of torture. “

The Promise of Youth.

Today, the young are no longer as savagely inclined as our forefathers and a growing percentage are fighting shy of meat other than chicken. When asked, they seem to query whether perhaps it is not so bad to kill birds and fish and I have to admit, that there is a marked difference in terms of its impact on sensitive people, although of course, it is much of a muchness. India is trying to ban animal slaughter for any purpose and is virtually succeeding against the odds of a minority of primitive people whose lives depend on the meat trade fostered by those who cannot live without it. But can “ca(r)nnibalism”, which is what it really is, ever be completely eradicated from human consumption ? The clear-cut answer is – Yes – but the alternatives must be good and must create the same addiction, to survive the cries of the critics and meat slaves. The running arguments in the world today are an interesting complex of divided opinions which could perhaps if permitting the ban, give mankind back its sense of justice and concern for life itself. If a person can kill a living creature without compunction to satisfy a passion which can find bigger and better alternatives, (apart from an increasing variety of experiences), then he or she can kill humans just as calmly, given the right conditions. Many would argue against it, but ground analysis shows that those who cannot take killing for any reason are also incapable of inflicting pain on others. They are sensitive, highly advanced people with a concern for others that is often not present among those who even attack others who dare to defend the animal kingdom. Their brains and in particular, the frontal lobe, through millennia of cross fertilizations have developed emotional complexes which now betray the gentleness of their nature and their sense of justice and good and evil. Television interviews are a growing source of understanding of the natures of different people across the globe. Tearful animal defenders absorbing the feelings of neglected and sad domestic animals offer one picture whilst others who even accept murder as within the unalterable nature of man, condone and often excuse this savagery with a shrug. It is clear therefore that the degree of sensitivity and ability to communicate with nature varies across the whole of humanity and even within the family itself. It has to do with genes, mental development and emotional circuitry that produces revulsion or pleasure. But the impact of quality of spirit and beauty of encounter with respect to gentle people, is palpable in as much as cold and sinister ones also are. I have never met a gentle spirit who was not fighting hard to get off all meat nor hard-nosed dismissive characters who always find arguments for letting us do what we want without regard for others. But is there a case for total banning of slaughter as the Prime Minister of India is trying to do ? Morally and in my humble opinion, yes and with it the gradual development of a crimeless world fostered by the education of our young in the appreciation of the need to revere life in order to understand theirs. My argument is that if life is treated with such contempt as happens in some of the dictatorial countries of our world, then how can these selfsame people cry with pain or not accept their illnesses and that of their loved ones if it is just a question of staying alive ? I venture to say most animals rather than all with respect to having a right to exist and enjoy it, but hypocritically perhaps, I find some creatures repulsive for their apparent lack of regard for the life of other species on which they feed. Would it be fair to say that it is normal to them and therefore morally acceptable to all ? My answer would be – no- and for the simple reason that their killings are a result of their needs and even we, would do the same even to our own if we had been brought up in stone age days when alternative foods had not been found. If these needs are no longer there then that – no- is valid. We are now masters of evolution and there is no need to perpetuate such ugly activities which still raise hackles in sensitive people today whether it is a lion or a snake. These creatures through gradual evolution went to and stayed in difficult genetic niches and survived because of these practices, but given the access to prepared, non living food, they would become what we call domesticated although perhaps the answer lies in prepared gradual extinctions that would remove this ugliness from the face of the world. Or return them to nature without the venom or predatory instinct. In Ireland as in other places, snakes do not exist although probably for religious and possibly cruel extinctions.

Domestication and its Commitments. Domestication ? We did it to dogs and cats among other creatures including our own cattle and in many parts of the world, where alternatives are difficult to find, the excuse for savagery comes in with respect to those who harbor the need to see and cause death by sufferings unbearable to most others. Their children who have their own pet names for these gentle creatures watch on and it is not surprising that their psychological development in some cases, enshrine violence in their new encampments. This behavioral tendency is now being seen with respect to our visual promotion of violence as an entertainment feature. If these kids then beat up and set fire to a withered lonely drop out, it is obvious where it comes from and a heavy penalty for society to pay. Why, in view of the painless dairy products of these generous creatures,( which are among the best delicacies in the world), cannot they be allowed to live their fairly short lives and die and get eaten when they die naturally and with an added sense of love and respect – as primitive people sometimes did. The argument that death, either by accident or natural circumstances contaminates bodies is a fallacy and veterinary examinations would without doubt render these sources of nutrition just as valid if cooked properly – as done with both chicken and pork today for the same reasons.

Psychopaths without any doubt, represent a higher than acceptable percentage of presence in world society but it is their particular brand of cold insistence which gets them into places the average humble and meek merchant are not likely to reach. The results – what we see today – inexplicable political values that seem to foster the interests of a selected few of their own and the late unmasking of much which average humans find repulsive and often called corruption. Twisted decisions and callousness in their results appear to brand the political leaders but whether circumstances or corrupting influences are behind them is difficult to see. Cigarettes are still up and about and drug addiction with freedom of choice is on the increase. Children commit suicide and discarded animals are fed to the executioners when they have no one to foster them. All in the name of social problems without solutions, but more likely compete against other apparently more important issues like military, bureaucratic and folly building to encourage others to see them as they would like to be seen.

Turning their vicious dogs against humans is probably an aspiration which many dog owners clearly fulfill as others feed lonely, starved and confused smaller breeds into their jaws for fun and thrill to their perverted senses. These broadcasts maim the sensibility of millions around the world unable to digest the cries of pain and help caught so horribly on camera and making viewers experience it and ultimately spend sleepless nights in painful revulsion. They are however unable to do much more than condemn the exposure which further supports the sense of power of the evil characters behind them. Best not to know ? Perhaps, but better still provoke, by sustained intent, the support of those in office and anxious to be seen to be the saints they would never be. Only then given the chance will they opt for a quick solution to an age old problem as has often happens with persistent and determined campaigners. In countries where pets are almost boiled alive and served on dinner plates by the millions, only the gradual improvement in social habits and pet adoption has started to create backlash that many tearful people throughout the world watched for signs of new controls.

Man the New Master of the Earth.

If man has reached levels high enough to enslave nature, the best that can be done, is to encourage what we call good in all and deter, as laws demand, those factors that threaten society. The gradual change or extinction of creatures which threaten humans, is therefore not as immoral as many animal lovers would care to propose. Nature does it herself throughout the millennia and does not produce the volume of savagery which humans express in the industrial control of meat . One little lamb or kid goat against millions of them which are pulled up by one leg and strung to meet the knife and scream with terror. All this barbarity is product of habit and addiction but not of need. Exactly the same as those cigarette manufacturers who knowingly kill thousands of millions of people and stress all the medical units of the world. Eating meat is an addiction bred from habit. Most primates do not eat meat but some do as a form of anger-ritual born of insecurity frenzies and after having killed with great savagery. It is not the norm in their diet. The Gorilla among others are herbal and insect eaters with the incredible Panda satisfying its hunger with bamboo shoots. All that mass out of so little…. But gentle it is not which demonstrates that killing syndromes have nothing to do with strength or ability to kill. All this is very strange – until we begin to understand that man´s teeth are mainly set for grinding and tough meat is out of the count for most of us. In primitive tribes where scarcity and lack of ingenuity has forced human cannibalism to become a part of their diet, natural aversion and even fear has driven most to gradually wean it out. Some retained it in ceremonial gatherings like the Aztecs but then they had imbibed a doctrine of the sacredness of the heart from probable, much earlier, encounters with Phoenicians and given to understand it was the important thing to take out and offer to their angry Gods. Maybe they even watched them in sacrificial demonstrations to Baal in drunken stupors during their imposed stays. In hunter tribes, some tribes have even sharpened their cutting teeth to aid them in the process of cutting and chewing tough meat and avoid the digestion problems which the absence of chewing such protein causes. In mankind at large , a substantial percentage cannot digest it properly and in peasant communities it is the very slow cooking over embers that enables the meat to become reasonably digestible and a source of regular food. The oral tradition beats the inventive spirit hands down although vegetarian dishes of great excellence developed in these environments accompanied by dried meats to help retain the rest of the animals for their dairy products. In fact, in many hovels the dried meats were sold to provide additional variety of fruits and vegetables rather than meat. However, apart from the gruesome horror of extinguishing the life of innocent, loving creatures who look to us for food and affection, there is a question of the effect of animal fat in our circulatory and digestive system. Modern medicine spends almost half its time tackling the problems of blood circulation, cancer and other meat digestion related diseases knowing that vegetarians are better off in this respect. Additionally, new discoveries of our blood groups and influence on eating needs, reveal disturbing information that the blood groups have been evolving over the millennia and that each is specifically different o the others. “O” appears to be the oldest (hunter man) and apparently related to meat eaters with stronger digestive stomach acids than the rest. “A” breaks away from a flesh diet and allows for cereals and vegetation and appears to have come in during the Taurus mountain, fertile crescent , evolutionary farming events. “B” follows with a total loss of dependence on meat as a singular form of nourishment and (we are told), evolved from “A” as different foods found their way into the chain. But the latest “A B” appearing around the medieval period when everything got thrown into the pot out of sheer urban scarcity has brought with it child bearing dangers and digestive problems in search of difficult solutions. The nature of our digestive juices, according to the blood group, food theories of a Dr. D´Amato, changes in accordance with our eating habits as one would expect of something as flexible and complex as the human organic community of cellular coordination and interdependence . Some blood groups, according to his theories, are different to others in acidity and thick/thinness which would account for adaptation to different types of prevalent food. The ones beyond the initial “O” universal blood group, are free of the exacting need for flesh as the main source of protein. Less sentient creatures would therefore be a better choice than mammals for killing and dressing up to look nice on the table which is the hypocritical result of a natural aversion to killing live animals for food. Whales and dolphins stir the crowds but lambs and piglets freshly born, appear not to do so in the same way………. All very disturbing as they lie in their plastic vacuum covers, as if asleep, in the horrendous butchers shops waiting for their claimants to grill and devour them so that another lot can take its place. Lately, the meat of the incredibly beautifully behaved, kid-adoring pony, lies side by side until a campaigner realizes what it is. The rifle against the forehead of the pony in an Irish abattoir, circled the world with cries of anger but humanity now faced with potential new wars drown their sadness with beer and in many cases, drugs. The consistent decline of values and moral standards by State Authorities in the West has effectively reduced politicians to a disgraced genre which many will never return to for help and support.

The Fight against Meat as a source of Protein

If that is not appallingly enough, the prohibition of certain meats by various religious movement through time and the emergence of totally vegetarian ones like the Hindu, (not to mention the taboo on animal killing), points to an innate reluctance on the part of man to kill to live. Yet, the sector continues to wallow in neglect and killing for meat hides its horrors and neglect from a sophisticated civilization that would close it down overnight if it could see what is happening there. Recent documentaries shocked the world and left sears across the minds of millions who had taken for granted that it was all much more controlled and less Satanic. As most would say : “ if we had to kill in our own kitchens today to feed our family, most of us would become vegetarians overnight”. And without the slightest shadow of doubt !.

But why do we persist in these sick unnecessary giant industries where even the first cut across the throat is done by robotic blades and heavily booted apologies for humans (not in my name for heaven´s sake) kick the terrified animals and their broods into the lethal corridors. One sow came back out with lethal cuts to prevent her children coming in, whilst another on the other side of the blades within perfect view of the rest in line for slaughter, tore the air with all four legs screaming with agony.

Economics are having a critical effect on animal farming and associated trades. They predict the natural termination of butchery at industrial level apart from economic reasons as the result of the growing naturally sensitivity of the new generations. Substantial increases in animal lovers, with no pain requirement demands, conflict with religious food preparation requirements. Blood letting in conscious states, is beginning to be seen as evil even by Muslims now reading about the vegetarians far of the great Prophets like Jesus and Mohamed. Attempts to bring new industries like horse and pony meat into the market has almost died in its incipient efforts. Anybody with any sense of decency could be forgiven for flinging it across the jewelry counter and some already have.

Humanity is Dangerously Hybrid.

The problem is not the trade, it would seem, but man. As genes are beginning to prove, our race is not as simply definable as many paleontologists would have had us think. It now appears according to experts like Sepher, that it is much more likely that the apes descend from our central evolutionary core and not vice versa. But what is more moving according to this paleontologist and geneticist, is that throughout the whole evolutionary period hybrid sapiens and hominids continued to breed producing a wide variety of semi savages among others who genes had created the gentler and studious ones. Even today, in most families the differences between the children can be awesome. If so, the needs of some members of our society are totally different to others and we have to be extraordinarily careful with whom we mix as genetic traits are not immediately visible when it comes to social interchanges and a psychopath or sadist would not reflect the Hyde effect to others unless caught unwary. In this context, which is now gathering strength among those who found the terrorist behavior inexplicable, genetics themselves have isolated and defined the cog wheels of psychopathic, insensitive destruction of life. They are not entirely human and are incapable of normal reluctance to kill or be killed. The concentration of these “zombies” in the military and civil law enforcement agencies (not to mention abattoirs), laboratories and animal abuse entertainment fields, is simply the attraction and the opportunities to enjoy the innate blood lust and sexually related feelings stamped into their very senses. Birds of a feather do club together and often, as happens in the police forces, make sure the rest, toe the line. Some elements in mankind are all too obviously not meant to mix with the rest as civil wars have so clearly marked out with abysmal degeneration on both sides. For many it is evidence of evolutionary mistakes and cults led by these defective hybrids often manage to instill collective acceptance of self destruction – a phenomenon which is now affecting our very youth. Social scientists and government functionaries, despite overwhelming evidence of the loss of the paternal figure of the State by citizens, do not appear to be deep thinkers and often act way out of time with too little and too late. It is happening with the collective killings by relatively normal members of society which surprisingly has caught Governments by surprise. The terrorist introduction therefore could be no more than a side effect of this inclination seeking a platform for moral validity and not as radical as many would think. It does however say a great deal about the function of the security services and how little dialogue there is between citizen and State – a closeness of contact that appears to defy the very nature of democracy itself. A closer and more serious, advance study effort outside political lobby factors is therefore now an imperative but that would seem to be asking for the impossible.

Killing for food and leisure therefore is not one of the factors that these economically geared elements are going to find time for, but the close and dedicated study of the pros and cons of sticking to fish and dairy products would no doubt reveal what we all know from keen cooking mothers – that vegetarian food is safer, tastier and infinitely less boring than that piece of burnt, oily part of a once happy and delightful creature who squirmed with pleasure when we tickled its ears or rubbed its fur. The very creature which allowed itself to be killed because it could not understand why its executioner would want to do it harm. 

Perfect Components For A Perfect Vegetarian Recipe

Are you a vegetarian? Perhaps you are planning to be one. Are you being held back by the fear of lacking all nutrients in vegetables? Well most individuals assume vegetarians only get sufficient vitamins at the expense of other nutrients. Reality is that vegetarian recipes are perfect for all individuals who are concerned of maintaining their shapes and weight. Furthermore, they are able to provide you with all core food nutrients that you need to be healthy. To prepare a complete vegan meal that is perfectly nutritious, there are things you need to look into as discussed below.

Sources of calcium in Vegan diet

Mineral calcium is an important element for the maintenance of strong bones and teeth. It is possible to take dairy products like cheese, milk and yoghurt. Unfortunately, not all vegetarians can tolerate lactose. Hence, you will want to get calcium from alternative sources. For instance, you could consume fortified cereals for breakfast. This includes products of soy and the leafy dark green vegetables like turnip and mustard greens.

Be cautious because although calcium from nearly all foods is absorbed at the same rate, its absorption is poorest in oxalic acids. This acid is present is sweet potatoes, spinach, beans and unleavened bread. Although they hinder the absorption of calcium present in the respective food, they do not alter with absorption of calcium from other foods. Hence, you must merge a couple of sources of calcium in your vegan diet.

Best fruits, vegetables and grains

Food network recipes encourage the consumption of wholegrain. These grains are essential in building your body. In fact, they assist to fight obesity, diabetes, heart conditions and all diseases related to high cholesterol in the blood. The ideal grains that you opt for must have bran, endosperm and germ. Bran is vital for provision of fiber that ensures you are satisfied for longer hour. Germ and endosperm are full of minerals, antioxidants and vitamins among other nutrients. However, you must not consume refined or processed grains because they have some components eliminated.

Fruits and vegetables are some of the best foods anyone can eat; whether you are a vegetarian or not. They are high in fiber yet low in calories and rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They assist to keep stroke and heart diseases a bay. At the same time, they will be managing your blood pressure, and prevent certain kinds of cancer. Do not forget that your vision and digestive system are improved by these components of your food.

It is important to look at the colors of the fruits and vegetables that you eat. There is need to blend the colors that you eat. Their varying colors show their diverse significances. Even so, you must regulate your consumption to ensure they do not become toxic to your body. When possible, you should eat seasonally. To benefit from the variety of flavors and freshness, you should eat given fruits and veggies when they are in season. Ensure you also have elements of Vitamin B12, Zinc and iron.

Green Tea And Bloating

Green tea has a variety of health benefits, but is it able to help prevent you from getting bloated? This article will provide information about the advantages of green tea and whether or not it can help keep you from bloating.

What Is Green Tea?

Green tea has a wide variety of health benefits. It helps with digestion, lowers blood pressure and may help protect the heart against cardiovascular disease (CVD). The antioxidants in green tea are beneficial for metabolic health. Several studies have shown that green tea can lower cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. This is in part due to the EGCG in the tea. EGCG is a natural antioxidant that may prevent the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels and is also a strong anti-inflammatory. Combined with caffeine, the two compounds may improve cognitive functions, relieve stress, and improve dopamine production.

Green tea has a long history of use as a healing remedy. Originally it was used in the Shang dynasty (1766 – 1050 B.C.). Today, green tea is still hand-harvested in many tea-producing countries, although the methods for processing the tea have changed significantly. Green tea is also an excellent source of polyphenols. These antioxidants act as free radical scavengers and reduce the amount of oxidative damage in the body. Those who drink at least one cup of green tea a day have a lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Other studies have linked green tea with a reduced risk of colon, breast, and skin cancers.

Aside from the health benefits, the taste of green tea is quite pleasant. It has a vegetal, floral, nutty, and woody flavor. In addition, it is a good way to unwind after a stressful day. When preparing a mug of green tea, make sure to use filtered water. You don’t want to overheat it or you’ll lose its healthy properties. Use a small brewing vessel. Steep the leaves for three minutes, then remove the tea from the sieve. Finish the brew with a teaspoon of honey. Unlike black tea, green tea does not undergo oxidation. During oxidation, the soluble compounds in the leaves turn darker. Oxidation is also associated with some risk factors for CVD. Whether you drink it in the morning or before a meal, green tea can help you relax and unwind. As a bonus, the EGCG in green tea can aid in the lowering of LDL cholesterol.

Will Green Tea Prevent Bloating?

Bloating is an uncomfortable condition, which often accompanies various gastrointestinal conditions. It is a common complaint of many people, and you can do several things to relieve it. One of these is to drink green tea. Green tea is a potent anti-inflammatory agent, and the catechins in it interact synergistically to produce disease-modifying effects. You can get the most benefit from its antioxidants by sipping on two to three cups of it each day. However, the best time to enjoy it is between meals. Drinking it on an empty stomach can be too much for your stomach, and can aggravate bloating.

Another way to prevent bloating is to drink hot water. This will not only reduce gas in the intestines, but will also help you flush excess water. Another herbal tea that can soothe your tummy is ginger. Ginger has strong anti-inflammatory properties. So, it is one of the best remedies for bloating. Alternatively, you can choose chamomile. Chamomile has been shown to soothe indigestion and bloating, and it can help protect your stomach from ulcers. While there are a number of herbs that can ease bloating, it is important to note that these remedies should not replace medical treatment. If you have a chronic illness, you should consult with your doctor before trying any of these teas.

Finally, you should not overdo it with green tea. Consuming more than three cups per day can lead to acidic build-up in the stomach. And, too much hot tea can promote throat cancer. To avoid this, you can simply cut down on the amount of green tea you drink each day. In addition to its medicinal properties, green tea is an excellent source of antioxidants. These antioxidants help to flush away excess sodium and water. Additionally, they promote good bacteria in the gut. Lastly, green tea is an effective natural diuretic, which is also an important factor in preventing bloating. Caffeine, meanwhile, can stimulate your digestive tract. The caffeine in it can increase bowel movements, and the polyphenols can reduce inflammation and gas in the intestines. While drinking green tea may not eliminate bloating entirely, it can definitely make you feel better. It’s one of the easiest ways to prevent gastrointestinal disorders, and you should give it a try.

Other Green Tea Benefits

Several research studies have shown that green tea has many beneficial effects on the body. These include lower levels of cholesterol, reduced blood pressure, and reduced risk of certain types of cancer. But one benefit of drinking green tea that may not be immediately obvious is that it can help you avoid bloating. Bloating can happen in the digestive tract due to inflammation, and green tea has been known to reduce these symptoms. Green tea can also boost good bacteria in the intestine. This helps the body digest food more efficiently. The antioxidants in green tea also aid digestion. Some studies have found that green tea can reduce the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer. However, more research is needed to understand the effects of green tea on the body.

Studies have found that the catechins in green tea may reduce the risk of obesity. They can reduce the risk of diabetes, too. Caffeine in green tea may increase metabolism and improve brain function. It can also boost mood. You should only drink a cup or two of green tea a day. If you experience any side effects, such as jitteriness or increased heart rhythm, you should stop taking it. In addition to its antioxidant properties, green tea can lower blood pressure and cholesterol. It can also promote fat burning and ease symptoms of cardiovascular disorders. Research shows  that drinking green tea before bed may help you sleep better. The polyphenols in green tea are thought to stimulate the brain. Taking a warm cup before bed can relax you and allow you to fall asleep easily.

Other teas you can drink to combat bloating include chamomile and fennel. Chamomile tea has been known to calm the gut and reduce inflammation. Fennel tea has been used to treat indigestion. Adding ginger to the tea can help with water retention. Avoid drinking green tea if you have a history of kidney problems or are pregnant. The tea’s high amount of caffeine can cause diuretic effects. Pregnant women should limit their intake to two cups a day. Consult your healthcare provider for individual recommendations.

Wrapping Up

A common cause of bloating is the buildup of gas in the digestive tract. Green tea helps reduce bloating and has several health benefits. It also provides many antioxidants to protect against cancer. Although tea is known to be effective at reducing bloating, it is not the only thing to drink. Many herbal teas can help alleviate bloating. Some herbal teas are more effective than others, so check with your doctor before trying a new remedy. Several teas contain caffeine. This can boost the movement of the GI tract and encourage laxative effects to start working. However, too much caffeine can lead to nausea. You should not drink tea in the morning or on an empty stomach.In addition to caffeine, green tea contains antioxidants and catechins. Catechins are antioxidants that soothe and calm the gastrointestinal muscles and can eliminate the buildup of gas in the intestines. These compounds are also important for helping your body break down fat.

Gentian root is another herbal remedy that can help with bloating. The root contains flavonoids, which can calm the bacteria in the digestive tract and promote better digestion. Peppermint has a refreshing taste and can help with bloating. Menthacarin, a compound found in peppermint, is also known for its soothing properties. Fennel tea is also a great way to treat bloating. The tea contains ginger, which acts as a diuretic. It also contains fennel seeds, which can improve the breakdown of fats in the body. Lastly, garlic is an effective bloating remedy. Garlic increases the amount of good bacteria in your intestine. It also reduces the number of gas-producing bacteria in your gut.

There are many different causes for bloating. Eating too much, consuming too little water, or having a large meal can all contribute to bloating. But green tea may be one of the best natural bloating remedies.As you can see, bloating can be a frustrating condition to deal with. But there are several herbal teas that can help alleviate your bloating and other gastrointestinal complaints. So try a few of these and you may find that they are more helpful than you thought.