Why should we eat our vegetables cooked?
Plus, antioxidant capacity was improved in all cooking methods.
The study surmised that this was because of matrix softening and increased extractability of compounds.
Beyond nutrition, however, raw vegetables cansimply be hard to digest2.
Anybody with irritable bowel syndrome knows this.
Do you have to give up raw foods entirely?
Steam them, saute them, or poach themgive your digestion that extra boost.
If you love salad for lunch, you dont necessarily have to give it up altogether.
Warm salads are delicious!
Try a roasted root vegetable salad, or wilted greens with roasted vegetables.
At the very least, consider warming your salads during cold weather.
No ice-cold lemonade, no ice-cold beer, no ice-cold soda, and no ice water.
Just think about what happens when you stick your hands in cold water or snow.
The channels that move nutrients in and waste out can close up.
Rather, warm liquids open up channels and encourage that flow.
While there is limited scientific evidence on this process (and much more research is needed!)
it’s along-held belief in Ayurvedic principlesand Traditional Chinese Medicine.
So what’s the bottom line?
As always, consult your doctor before eliminating any food groups from your diet.
For now, keep drinking thatwarm teabut you may want to ditch the ice in favor of room-temp water.
