Fad raw vegan diet beloved by Gwyneth Paltrow and Demi Moore could do more harm than good, nutrition expert warns
- Being a vegetarian or vegan has become incredibly popular in recent years.
- Some are taking it to the extreme and only eat raw plant foods.
- There are claims that ingredients can lose nutrients during the cooking process.
- Dr Laura Brown, professor of nutrition at Teesside University, warned against
<!–
<!–
<!– <!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
The wound vegan diet loved by Gwyneth Paltrow Y Demi Moore it can do more harm than good in the long run, one expert has warned.
as it goes vegetarian o Vegan has recently become popular, some are taking it to the extreme and only eat raw plant foods that can be consumed without cooking.
There are claims that ingredients can lose important nutrients and enzymes in the cooking process, and having raw plant foods will improve energy levels, prevent disease and improve overall health.
But Dr Laura Brown, senior lecturer in nutrition at Teesside University, warned that the diet could do more harm than good if followed for too long.
The raw vegan diet beloved by Gwyneth Paltrow and Demi Moore may do more harm than good in the long run, an expert has warned. While going vegetarian or vegan has become popular in recent years, some are taking it to the extreme and only eat raw plant foods that can be consumed without cooking.
In The conversation website, said that some vegetables actually provide higher nutrient content when cooked, as the process helps break down cell walls and allows nutrients to be released.
For example, when spinach is cooked, the calcium it contains is more easily absorbed by the body.
Asparagus, mushrooms, carrots, broccoli, kale and cauliflower are also higher in nutrients when cooked, he wrote.
Dr. Brown said that people who follow raw vegan diets also lack important vitamins and minerals that come from animals.
These play an important role in the structure, development, and production of nerve and brain cells and in supporting a healthy immune system.
An earlier study found that 38 percent of people following strict raw vegan diets were deficient in vitamin B12.
There are claims that ingredients can lose some of their important nutrients and enzymes during the cooking process, and consuming raw plant foods will improve energy levels, prevent disease and improve overall health (stock image)
The diet can also lead to unintentional weight loss and even cause some women to stop menstruating, separate studies have found.
Dr Brown said: “While following a plant-based diet can have many health benefits, the raw vegan diet may be taking things a bit too far and may have even greater risks if not followed carefully.”
‘If you plan to eat a raw vegan diet, it’s important to plan carefully to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need for optimal health.
“I also wouldn’t recommend following it for a long period of time because of the many risks it can have.”
His warning echoes those made by genetics expert Professor Steve Jones, who claimed that a long-term raw food diet could have deadly effects.
At the Hay Festival several years ago, he said: ‘We are the only animal that has ever lived that would starve if we ate raw food alone.’
“We have lost the enzymes and the absorption mechanism to digest raw food.”
The British Dietetic Association has previously said that a raw food diet could harm long-term health if not balanced.
In addition to Miss Paltrow and Miss Moore, the likes of Megan Fox and Sting have also previously followed the raw food diet.
HOW SHOULD A BALANCED DIET BE LIKE?
Meals should be based on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grains, according to the NHS.
• Eat at least 5 servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. All fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruits and vegetables count
• Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, ideally whole grains.
• 30 grams of fiber per day: This is the same as eating all of the following: 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 whole-grain crackers, 2 thick slices of whole-grain bread, and a large baked potato with skin.
• Drink some dairy products or dairy alternatives (such as soy beverages) choosing low-fat and low-sugar options.
• Eat some beans, legumes, fish, eggs, meat and other protein (including 2 servings of fish a week, one of which should be fatty)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and consume them in small amounts.
• Drink 6 to 8 cups/glasses of water a day
• Adults should have less than 6 g of salt and 20 g of saturated fat for women or 30 g for men per day
Font: NHS Eatwell Guide
.
