Raw fruit and vegetable juices are referred to as ' live' food. This is because they contain a whole lot of biologically active components called enzymes, which play an active role in all metabolic activities that go on in the body. Enzymes are essential for digesting food, releasing energy from the food that you eat, stimulating brain function, and repairing all tissues, organs and cells. Even if you are consuming sufficient vitamins and minerals you will not be able to experience optimum health if your body does not have a good supply of enzymes.
Without enzymes the body cannot convert the protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins etc (present in food) into bone, hair, skin muscles, glands, hormones etc. wounds take longer to heal in the absence of enzymes. Enzymes also help to erase scars, dissolve clots, cleanse out the adverse effects of drugs, promote oxygenation of blood and affect all your bodily processes. .
Enzymes are extremely sensitive to heat and are destroyed during cooking. Raw foods contain a substantially higher amount of enzymes. Each enzyme has its own specific function. Some enzymes aid digestion, while others help to build body structure & some enzymes help in removal of wastes and toxins from the body. The body manufactures its own set of enzymes and uses it for digestion, assimilation, detoxification and elimination of waste. We can also outsource enzymes from food. In order to obtain enzymes from our diet, it is essential to eat raw foods. .
The Bromelain benefit
The best plant enzyme whose beneficial effects have been studied is bromelain found in pineapple. Bromelain is known to have a variety of health benefits. It helps to digest food better thus preventing gas and bloating. It improves wound healing, reduces inflammation in the case of arthritis, relieves sinusitis and normalizes appetite. Unripe papaya also contains an enzyme known as 'papain', which aids digestion. Sprouts are known to be a rich source of enzymes. You can sprout most whole grains such as green mung, moth, whole wheat, black channa, green channa etc. Bananas, mangoes and most raw fruits, berries, vegetables, nuts and seeds are rich in enzymes.
Since enzymes are not stored in the body they have to be replenished. Therefore you need a consistent supply of fresh fruits and raw vegetables to get your quota of enzymes. How to get enzymes from your diet.
Drink your fruit juice or your vegetable juice within 20 minutes of extraction. The longer your juice stays in your glass more nutrients are oxidized and lost.
Eat at least one bowl of sprouts everyday. You could partially cook them with 'hing' if you suffer from gas and bloating.
Do not overcook your vegetables. You could have them juiced, steamed or stir - fried to release more nutrients.
Eat some (8 -10) raw almonds everyday.
Chew your food thoroughly. Chewing helps to release the trapped nutrients and enzyme action begins in the month itself
Foods especially rich in enzymes like papaya, pineapple, mangoes, banana, corriander juice should be consumed frequently.
Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables everyday because each food has its own set of known and unknown nutrients to offer, so that you can get the entire spectrum of protection against disease.
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