When it comes to eating healthy, it's not just about what you eat but how you eat it. You can either cook your fruits and veggies or simply eat them raw. However, according to the UK, National Institutes of Health (NIH), raw foods give you the most enzymes, vitamins and minerals needed for good health. Whereas exposing certain food items to high heat while cooking results in reduced nutritional content and antioxidants.
Raw food items are mostly made up of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouted grains. In case you are confused, here are some raw food items that you can include in your diet for maximum health benefits.
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Onions
Onions are probably the most used vegetable in Indian households. They contain a number of antioxidants that are good for the liver. Onions also contain a compound called Allicin, which gives it a peculiar smell but helps prevent heart disease and hypertension.
Garlic
Eating garlic raw might make your mouth stink, but it offers a number of benefits to your body. Raw garlic has anti-inflammatory properties, helps boost immunity and also controls blood pressure. Garlic is a good source of magnesium, selenium, calcium, Vitamin C and Vitamin B6. The presence of all these vital vitamins and minerals makes it beneficial for your health.
Nuts
Roasted nuts, be it salty or sweet might taste delicious but eating nuts raw is a much healthier alternative. The addition of salt or sugar to the roasted nuts also increases their calorie content. Also, roasting the nuts or exposing them to heat can reduce their antioxidant and vitamin content, thus, they are best consumed raw.
Beets
Largely consumed in salads or juices, Beetroot is an iron-rich veggie. It helps in lowering blood pressure and also boosts your energy. While it contains numerous nutrients like vitamins, iron and calcium, beetroot is best known for purifying blood.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a favorite part of our everyday diet and are consumed both in salads and in the form of curries. However, tomatoes are best eaten raw. They also help in reducing inflammation and the antioxidants help improve the functioning of the immune system.
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