Section 2

Raw foodism or Rawism is based on consuming food that is uncooked or unprocessed and it is an alternative that has been attracting many new followers. They endorse that changing the natural form of food, such as cooking it, would negatively affect its nutritional capacity. A raw vegan diet is generally rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouted grains and legumes. Like veganism, it excludes all foods of animal origin and it also tends to be naturally low in processed foods. It also adds the concept of raw foodism, which dictates that foods should be eaten completely raw or heated at temperatures below 104–118°F (40–48°C). Those choosing to follow a raw vegan diet are often motivated by health reasons. They believe that raw and minimally heated foods are more nutritious than cooked ones since alternative meal preparation methods, such as juicing, blending, soaking, sprouting and dehydrating, are used instead of cooking.
Scientists claim that a raw vegan diet may improve heart health due to its focus on fruits and vegetables — both of which are consistently linked to lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke. A raw vegan diet may also come with some risks — especially if you don’t plan it well. One of the prerequisites to a well-planned vegan diet is to ensure it provides all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. You can do so by consuming either fortified foods or supplements to compensate for the nutrients it is naturally low in. Vitamin B12 is one example of a nutrient naturally lacking in a raw vegan diet. Getting too little of this vitamin can lead to anemia, nervous system damage, infertility, heart disease and poor bone health.