To nourish our cells, food has to be properly broken down. Otherwise, undigested food particles travel into the small intestine, where they putrefy. Enzymes are the catalysts and workers in the body, and are necessary for all metabolic processes including nutrient absorption. Plant foods are an excellent source of food enzymes – but, unfortunately, these enzymes are destroyed when heated to a temperature of 116ºF.

The consequences of this are felt far from your digestive tract. Enzymes are required for every metabolic process in your body, from thinking to repairing a scar on your skin. There are over 3,000 known enzymes in our bodies that perform these functions, but our bodies have a limited amount of enzymes that it can produce over a lifetime. When we eat enzyme-deficient (cooked) foods, the body has to borrow from its reserves to digest the food. This makes us more vulnerable to disease. Staying young and healthy depends on keeping the enzyme activity at an optimum level. Raw, well-chewed food practically digests itself because it has the right amount of natural enzymes and nutrients. Eating enzyme-rich foods results in increased energy, strength, and longevity.