Digestive Enzymes, Signals and Life

This is part of a response from a file question that asked about mixing fruit and veggies in meals...

I often refer to raw foods as “living” foods because the digestive enzymes in these foods, specifically fruits and vegetables, are indeed alive. These enzymes work with our own digestive enzymes to more rapidly prepare the nutrients to build and enrich our blood which goes through the arteries to feed our trillions of cells and builds, cleans, and preserves our various organs, muscles and tissues.

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This is why the process of digestion is so important. So, you can be eating right things but step by step we should be learning how to better work with our digestive system.  

Think of the processing of these enzymes from a speed standpoint. Fruit processes super speedily. They break down easy and are usually higher in sugar. Vroom! Vegetables on the other hand process slowly. They take time to breakdown and extract the nutrients, especially greens. So when mixed there are two messages being sent in the stomach. One says “Go, go, go!” and the other says “Slow down…we need time.” This clash can then lead to gas or sometimes indigestion, and we don’t actually assimilate all the nutrients from the food.  This is not life threatening but as a lifestyle this is hard on the digestive system. Many do “Green food” shakes with bananas or vegetables juices with apples (and so do I). Yet, whether you are eating shakes, juices, salads or whatever, step by step look to cut back on the fruit to allow more digestive time for the vegetables and then have the fruit later. Adding herbs and spices like Cinnamon, Ginger, Fennel, Nutmeg and Stevia can help take the edge off for those whose still need a little sweet.

From personal experience, avocados, carrots and (sometimes) apples seem to work well with all, but regardles of whether we are talking about fruits, vegetables, proteins, breads, nuts, or whatever, I say pay attention to your stomach’s signaling. There are reasons why we get deep cases of the hiccups and/or belching after some meals. Not because we are just full but it’s like the stomach is trying to rearrange things that are not setting or mixing well and maybe are not best eaten together. We are empowered by our creator to know more than we pay attention to. For more about mixing specific foods or acid /alkaline mixing concerns click this link for a more extensive study and overview. Good stuff!!

For more on preventing gas and digestive problems click the link below

How To Prevent Gas and Digestive Problems from summertomato.com