Raw fruit and vegetable juices provide biologically-active components called enzymes, which play an active role in all metabolic activities in the body.
Organic foods are richer in enzymes, micro nutrients and mineral content that is better absorbed by your body
Is eating raw food healthier?
Raw fruit and vegetable juices (usually referred to as ‘live’ foods) provide biologically-active components called enzymes, which play an active role in all metabolic activities in the body. Without enzymes, the body cannot utilise protein, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins in food into the bone, hair, skin, muscles, glands and hormones.
The body absorbs the vitamins and minerals present in fresh and raw foods better than from synthetic vitamins and refined and processed foods. Since these enzymes and nutrients are extremely sensitive to heat and get destroyed during the process of cooking, we should try to incorporate raw foods in our diet. Foods rich in enzymes such as papaya, pineapple, cabbage, reddish, beetroot and raw sprouts should be consumed frequently.
I’ve been told that organic foods help retain enzymes, vitamins, minerals and fibres in the body. Is this true?
Yes, since the extent of processing involved is minimal (fewer artificial methods, no chemical ripening, no food irradiation, and no genetically modified ingredients), nutrients are not destroyed and their subsequent absorption in the body may be better than those produced with conventional methods.
Research shows that organic foods are much richer in micro nutrients and mineral content. For example, chromium was found to be higher in organic foods by an average of 78 per cent and the antioxidant Selenium was found to be about 390 per cent higher.
How can you know that certain foods are organic and no fertilisers have been used? Where are these available?
A ‘certified organic’ label is usually the only way for a consumer to know that a processed product is ‘organic’. These are readily available at leading super markets and large retail stores at their special organic food sections, such as in Kendriya Bhandar or the Fabindia or Tribes India stores.
What are processed organic foods? Are they as healthy?
Processed organic foods usually contain organic ingredients or at least a minimum percentage of organically grown constituents, which conform to the required standards. These products may range from canned foods to frozen vegetables and ready-to-eat cereals.
As far as ‘healthy’ goes, fresh is better than frozen and frozen better than canned. It is important to check the organic certification and the related nutrition facts (total fats, sodium, calories, etc) before buying the product.
How healthy are organic ice-creams, dairy and other organic products in the market?
Organic farming keeps harmful chemicals and pesticides out of food and beverages, so they reduce the risk to many health problems such as allergic reactions, headaches, asthma, growth retardation and skin disorders.
Along with taste and sweetness, the texture, firmness and nutrient content of organic fruits and vegetables are also rated higher than those grown conventionally. Among other products, organic groceries such as organic basmati rice, bajra, whole wheat and organic pulses like beans and lentils are richer in vitamin content.
Could you offer a healthy recipe featuring the use of organic foodstuff?
There is, in fact, no separate recipe to prepare or cook organic foods. They can be easily incorporated into our daily menu of soups, starters or main course. For example an organic potato and cauliflower can be prepared as aloo-gobi, exactly the way it is prepared in the basic recipe.
Raw salads that we consume should be organically grown as these organic foods are richer in nutrients and minerals, and devoid of any contamination.
Next week, Dr Mukherjee will discuss nutrition in fruits and nuts. Send in your queries to healtline@dnaindia.net or SMS us at 54567
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