If you have read up about raw food detox diets you would probably have encountered the different viewpoints and have mixed feelings about it. Some articles claim that raw food detox diets are great for cleansing the body of toxins and free radicals to boost an individual's overall health and reduce cellulite, wrinkles and bloating. Other articles tell us that the raw food detox diet is dangerous and causes side effects associated with malnutrition since it does not include all of the minerals and essential nutrients the human body requires for optimal functioning.

Perhaps you would like to know the truth about the raw food detox diet. Is it beneficial or will it cause damage to a person’s health?

What It Comprises

A detox diet plan that involves eating only raw foods is quite difficult to follow, especially if you are a big fan of starchy foods and meat. Followers of the raw food detox diet plan can only drink water and eat food that is derived from plants and has not been cooked or processed. The list of foods that can be eaten includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, legumes, beans, nuts, seaweed, herbs and spices. It generally only includes food that comes from plants and exclude meat, fish, etc. Nor should it consist of anything that has been cooked or processed.

It All Depends On The Duration

A raw food detox diet can be healthy or dangerous depending on how long a person stays on it. If one takes a sensible approach to the raw food detox diet by following it for just two or three days at a time, it has several associated health benefits. For instance, it can reduce the risk of heart disease, promote healthy weight loss, clean the digestive tract and improve the appearance of the skin.

However, unless done correctly following a raw food detox diet for a long period can be harmful as it can cause malnourishment. Most plant foods not contain sufficient fat. The body actually needs a small amount of fat on a regular basis in order to regulate some of its bodily functions. They are also used to absorb and store fat, soluble vitamins and other essential nutrients efficiently.
Raw food detox diets do not contain enough protein or essential minerals either. Protein is needed to repair and build new tissue in the body, provide energy and protect against viral and bacterial diseases. Minerals are required for numerous different functions in the body. For example calcium is used to build healthy bone tissue and iron is needed for the synthesis of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

Since following a raw food diet involves depriving your body of fat, protein and certain minerals it isn't a good idea to do it for too long.  To get the health benefits associated with the raw food detox diet without the risks, one should follow it for no more than two or three days in any one month.