4 Foods to Never Eat Raw by Kevin Gianni of RenegadeHealth In this section, Kevin and Frederic will be answering common nutrition and lifestyle questions that we get at the Renegade Health blog or as a follow up to the podcast. Send in your questions for Frederic or Kevin at: lisa@renegadehealth Theine Vs. Caffeine I lived in France for a while and my French friends do NOT consider tea to have Caffeine – they call the chemical in tea theine. I have several French friends who are chemists and they just insist that it is not the same molecule. They think it’s a riot that the chemists in the USA call it caffeine. ANSWER FROM FRED: You will find some naturopaths that do think theine is a different substance from caffeine, but actually they are the same molecule (C8H10N4O2). Theine was identified in tea in 1827 but later it was found that theine was actually caffeine. If people feel different effects from tea and coffee it is because coffee contains much more caffeine, and also tea contains other substances that may affect people differently. Can We Absorb the Calcium From Vegetables? “I’ve read so much literature about our body not being able to absorb the type of calcium found in most raw vegetables. Is this true? If now, how much of the calcium in raw veggies is our body able to absorb?” ANSWER FROM KEVIN: There is conflicting information about whether or not plants are good sources of calcium. In order to figure out who’s right or not here, we need to step back from the back and forth and actually get real tangible data. There are two types of information that you can learn from health experts or sources. One is theory. The other is clinical data. Theory comes from people reading studies and coming to conclusions that may or may not work in the human body. Clinical data comes from those who are working with patients and actually observing theory in practice. Dr. Williams, a clinician, speaks about oxalic acid – which can bind with calcium to inhibit some of its absorption – as being a possible issue for those who are already depleted in calcium. He’s seen this happen with his patients. This is from his clinical data. This may or may not deplete calcium in any individual, but for those with bone loss, they must be aware that just eating plants to restore calcium levels may not be enough. On the other hand, in an interview with Vesanto Melina another dietitian and clinician, she explained that she reversed her bone loss using a plant based diet. (Here’s her story) So armed with these two (yes, they’re only two) instances, we have to understand that both may be right. I know it’s a brain teaser, but it is possible for both answers to hold truth. This is why the approach I recommend is not one that gives blanket answers any more. I’ve eaten my words too many times doing so. The best way to determine if something is working for you is to work with a practitioner and test your theories with medical and diagnostic testing. If you don’t, you’ll just continue to be confused. I know, because I was there before. After my candida issue, I was convinced that I still had an overgrowth, because I was weak and tired all the time. When I tested my hormones, I realized that it wasn’t the candida that was making me this way, it was my very low pregnenolone. This saved me a significant amount of time, money and stress – since I was able to pinpoint the cause of the issue and address it specifically. Also, for those who feel that this is too expensive, I understand and at the same time, I urge you to consider how expensive it may be struggling to find a solution when you have no details at all. What Raw Foods Should We Avoid? I love your website and your videos. I have not seen any reference to raw eggplant: Some websites say it is edible while others say it is not. What is your opinion? Are there other veggies or fruits that should not be eaten raw? Thank you for your time. ANSWER FROM FRED: Rather than making up rules about what can and cannot be eaten raw, I’d rather have you trust your taste buds. I don’t see anything wrong with raw eggplant, except for the fact that it’s not very tasty unless it is marinated. A few comments about some fruits and vegetables: 1- Raw legumes (even soaked or sprouted) should be avoided due to the toxic enzyme inhibitors found in them, as well as high quantities of raw starch. Beans should never be eaten raw. 2- Potatoes and other very starchy vegetables should also never be eaten raw. 3- Buckwheat greens should be avoided in large quantities due to a substance contained in them called fagopyrin, which can cause hypersensitivity to sunlight. 4- Rhubarb is a vegetable to avoid because of the high concentration of oxalic acid. Here are other foods that are not lethal or toxic. These can be considered “borderline”, but they might be used as a seasoning: • Garlic: Due to the Allyl methyl sulfide produced from the digestion of garlic and the way it is exuded from the skin pores, causing bad breath and smell, I personally prefer to avoid it raw! • Onion family: Quite strong and best used in moderation, or oxidized by chopping them in a food processor and leaving at room temperature for a few minutes for the strong oil to partially evaporate. • Hot Peppers: The substance that causes the heat sensation in hot peppers is called “capsaicin”. It binds with pain receptors that are responsible for sensing heat. So it “tricks” the brain into thinking that it’s sensing heat or pain. The physiological response is the same as when an actual burn has occurred, even though the tissues have not been harmed. Heart rate is raised and perspiration is increased, with the release of endorphins. Hot peppers are a stimulant. Knowing that, I still personally enjoy a little “heat” sometimes as a seasoning. • Mushrooms: Many types of mushrooms are toxic. The cultivated varieties are relatively safe, but I wouldn’t class them in the same category as fruits and vegetables. I rarely enjoy them raw, but, sometimes, I might eat them in a recipe. Otherwise, there are no reasons to avoid any common fruits sold at the supermarket. Send in your questions for Frederic or Kevin at: lisa@renegadehealth
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 06:28:29 +0000
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