The benefits of enzymerich foods

If scientists were to synthesise the food that prevents cancer, they would use a lot of fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C and selenium as their main ingredients and they would also make it low-fat. Raw fruits and vegetables exactly fit these requirements and their juices are referred to as live foods. This is because they contain a whole lot of biologically active components called enzymes, which play an active role in all metabolic activities that go on in the body. Enzymes are essential for digesting food, releasing energy from the food that you eat, stimulating brain function, and repairing all tissues, organs and cells. Even if you are consuming sufficient vitamins and minerals, you will not be able to experience optimum health if your body does not have a good supply of enzymes.

Without enzymes, the body cannot convert the protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins etc (present in food) into bone, hair, skin muscles, glands, hormones, etc. Wounds take longer to heal in the absence of enzymes. Enzymes also help to erase scars, dissolve clots, cleanse out the adverse effects of drugs, promote oxygenation of blood and affect all your bodily processes.

Enzymes are extremely sensitive to heat and are destroyed during cooking. Raw foods contain a higher amount of enzymes. Each enzyme has its own specific function. Some enzymes aid digestion, while others help to build body structure and some enzymes help in removal of wastes and toxins from the body. The body manufactures its own set of enzymes and uses it for digestion, assimilation, detoxification and elimination of waste. We can also outsource enzymes from food. In order to obtain enzymes from our diet, it is essential to eat raw foods.

The best plant enzyme whose beneficial effects have been studied is bromelain, found in pineapple. Bromelain is known to have a variety of health benefits. It helps to digest food better, thus preventing gas and bloating. It improves wound healing, reduces inflammation in case of arthritis, relieves sinusitis and normalises appetite. Unripe papaya also contain the enzyme papain that aids digestion. Sprouts are a rich source of enzymes. You can sprout most whole grains such as green moong, moth, wholewheat, black chana, green chana, etc. Bananas, mangoes and most raw fruits, berries, vegetables, nuts and seeds are rich in enzymes as well.

HT PHOTO Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain, which helps in digestion