Thriving on Fruits

It is relatively easy to get lost navigating through endless list of nutrition suggestions that the world has to offer in the 21st century. Humans have familiarized themselves with countless ways of eating – consuming a lot of animal protein on Atkins diet, or following Ketogenic diet and absorbing fats, or intermittently fasting and restricting calories, or excluding animal products altogether and pursuing a plant-based lifestyle. People tested eating an extensive variety of edible products that nature supplies them with and took it a step further by regularly cooking their food and altering its raw state. They even invented chemical products, various E-lettered preservatives, and synthetic solutions – something that not a single other animal on this planet is exposed to. The extent humanity went to in exploring possible nutritional resources is amazing and mind-blowing, but how do we actually achieve our optimal health? How do we start thriving instead of merely surviving? Avoiding obesity, heart-related disease, diabetes, and other dangerous health conditions prevalent in our current society should be one of the top priorities. Our current lifestyle leads to premature aging and steady decrease in quality of life. How do we turn the tables and stay active, slim, flexible and energetic until our very last day on this planet? The key is to evaluate human beings from anatomical perspective, trust nature, and embark on a raw vegan fruitarian journey – and your body and mind will forever be thankful for this crucial decision. Raw veganism with high fruit intake is an optimal diet for our species.

CURRENT STATE OF HEALTH - SOS

The state of health for human species has been declining for decades – the obesity rate is skyrocketing with two thirds of adults either overweight or obese, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide with 17.9 million global victims in 2016, another 350 million people on Earth have been diagnosed with diabetes, and in the United States one out of four deaths occurs due to cancer (World Health Organization). Human population is getting sicker and sicker with every year, and it is important to detect correlation between current condition and standard human diet. The lifestyle that the majority of people adopted includes outrageous amounts of processed foods, mostly sedentary behavior, increasingly high levels of stress, lack of sleep, and disturbingly high amount of time indoors. These are some of the factors hindering us from reaching our full potential, and although all of them are definitely significant, incorrect nutrition might cause the biggest strain on our health. In contrast with our current state of well-being, humans could live longer, be active and flexible even in senior years, have better immune system and catch viruses and flues less often. We could stay young for longer, have glowing skin (which would be indicative of balance in our inner organs), and experience the world from a perspective of healthy, fulfilled people. We truly have nothing without our health.

HUMAN SPECIES

What if humanity stopped necessarily treating human beings as individuals and instead evaluated them as biological species? Apes, for example, do not categorically consume different products based on their blood type, koalas abstain from impatiently plugging their food intake into an Iphone app to calculate their protein intake, and zebras have never cooked their meals. Why do people behave so differently from other mammals? It would be understandable to pursue all-inclusive diet if humans shared zero commonalities with animals but anatomically we do. From a biological and evolutionary perspective, humans can be best described as frugivores (species that eat primarily fruit). Human digestive track varies lengthwise from those of omnivores (species that eat meat and plants), herbivores (species that eat grass and greens), and carnivores (species that eat meat) – a portion of food completely passes through it in approximately 12-18 hours (Dubs). For herbivores, same process takes 18-24 hours, for omnivores –10-18 hours, and for carnivores – 2-4 hours. Human body pH levels are similar to those of frugivorous creatures like apes: our blood lingers on the alkaline side of the pH chart with its healthy values ranging from 7.35 to 7.45 (University of Sydney). Our saliva in its healthy state also has pH of 7.4. While the value of 7 is considered neutral (water, for example, is at pH 7), anything below will be acidic. Carnivores like lions, on the contrary, have an acidic saliva and lack ability to break down starch because their saliva misses ptyalin – an enzyme that aids in deconstructing starches (Dubs). Human teeth are far from resembling sharp canines of a true carnivore, and our jaws fail to open nearly wide enough to successfully combat our victim. The list of differences continues, but all of them clearly indicate that humans anatomically greatly vary from carnivores or even omnivores.

INTUITIVE FOOD FOR HUMANS

For every single animal species out there, nature initially developed products appetizing to them – in its raw, unaltered state. Animals behave instinctively and allow their appetite to guide them in their nutritional choices. However, humans, the smartest of all, still struggle to figure out what to eat, how often to eat, and how to achieve their optimal well-being. We clearly know how to survive on our current worldwide nutrition, but do we thrive? To unveil what actually makes people thrive on their nutritional choices, one should think back to our roots. Humanity emerged from wild nature, and long before human brain developed our ancestors fed themselves just like animals did. Back in the past, homo erectus, an ancestor of homo sapiens, were still relying on their gut instinct instead of altering food state to achieve desirable results and make it appetizing, but surprisingly, up until this day, most of us preserved that intuitive feeling guiding us to pick correct products out of broad natural assortment (Graham). If a person happened to be in wilderness without the possibility of cooking and masking tastes with different spices and condiments, what would he pick? Possibly he would strive to chase a deer, attempt to kill it with his bare hands, and then deal with its raw bleeding flesh, thick hairy skin, and inner organs. This option could be a nauseating experience for most people though. Maybe he would imitate behavior of a bear, try to catch a fish in a stream and bite through its shining fish scale not minding branched out bone structure. Does that sound like an ideal option? He could, potentially, opt for digging for raw potatoes and beets instead and pulling these root vegetables out of the muddy ground. Or maybe he would pick grass and plant leaves alternative? Or, lastly, he could reach for a perfectly ripe and sweet mango hanging from a branch.

WHY FRUIT

Dr. Douglas Graham, famous natural hygiene practitioner and raw foods enthusiast of thirty years, in his book The 80/10/10 Diet thoroughly explains why other raw products suggested by nature seem unappealing to us, and given a choice humans would go for fruit with its beautiful colors, smells, and satisfying water content. Dr. Graham, Don Bennett, and other influencers in raw vegan movement under the definition of ‘fruit’ imply its botanical classification: it is a ripened ovary of a plant containing seeds (Bernarr, Graham). Fruit is created to be consumed. The entire idea behind growing fruits is reproduction of plants because as humans and other frugivores consume fruit and travel further, the seeds, indigestible by our bodies, travel as well, get lost in the soil, and guarantee the survival of their species. In botany, fruits include the following so-called culinary vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, avocado, bell peppers. All of these are varieties of fruit perfect for human beings, absorption of nutrients, and digestion.

HUMANS FROM TROPICS

Our dependence on warm climate also implies that humans originated in the area near the equator, where the weather conditions accommodate our specific feeding needs. As history unveiled further, human population started increasing, and for the lack of territories some of our ancestors ventured out to explore the northern regions. Fresh fruit was clearly and unfortunately lacking there, and humans desperately turned into hunters for the sake of survival. However, thousands and thousands years later we still, sometimes artificially, maintain or create that tropical environment everywhere we go. Citizens of northern countries failed to adapt to local weather conditions which is indicated in how they dress in winter time and try to maintain 70°F indoors. Tropical environment remained crucial for human survival, comfort and well-being all throughout history, and this information is yet another hint at our ideal natural foods – fruit.

PROTEIN

Some of the primary concerns associated with fruitarian diet would be lack of proper nutrients, insufficient supply of protein, and sugar overdose. Debunking these concerns should provide a solid foundation to stop fearing fruits – our biological foods. To start with, fruits have plenty of vitamins and high water content, fatty fruits (avocado or durian) and nuts have necessary fats, greens have minerals like calcium. All of the mentioned in the previous sentence foods have protein: even watermelon has 7% of protein in its flesh (Nutrition Data). Humans currently have a misunderstanding that in order to properly function, we need to be loading up on protein, but this belief is no more than a myth which originated from meat and dairy industries in attempt to increase demand and, as a consequence, sales. In order to demystify this ubiquitous misconception, it is essential to look at the carbohydrates-proteins-fats ratio in breast milk. A misinformed person would assume that human milk is loaded with protein because human beings tend to experience the most rapid growth in the first year of their lives and protein is widely recognized as cell-building material (World Health Organization). Research conducted by World Health Organization demonstrates that girls, on average, grow from 49 centimeters in length to 86 centimeters over the first 2 years of their lives. However, breast milk barely has any protein! National Center for Biotechnology Information published comprehensive research report in which the authors claim that “the mean macronutrient composition of mature, term milk is estimated to be approximately 0.9 to 1.2 g/dL for protein” (NCBI). This comes down to approximately 1 gram of protein per 100 grams of breast milk, or 1%. If toddlers happen to grow rapidly on a substance that has only 1% of protein, why would mature adults at stable height and weight need more?

FEAR OF SUGAR

Besides protein concern, human society was conditioned into fearing sugar. Sugar has become our enemy, and while refined sugar is correctly recognized as an unhealthy product, fructose in fruits is a nature’s gift to humans. Unfortunately, though, humans in their majority are yet to distinguish between the two and draw a line. Refined sugar that comes from cane is an artificially extracted and processed food sweetener which actually poses a threat to our health, especially if eaten in large quantities. Sugar in a form of fructose, however, is perfect fuel for our cells, brain, and other organs (Graham). The process of absorption of fructose happens very easily and at a slower rate due to high water content in fruits. Bananas have 74% of water, apples – 84%, cantaloupe – 90% (Engineering Toolbox). Not only do we nourish our cells when we eat fruits, but we also hydrate ourselves.

SHOULD EVERYONE EAT FRUITS?

While human anatomy is best adapted to frugivorous diet, transitioning to this natural way of eating should be a personally customized path for everyone based on their previous lifestyle habits. It is essential to understand that traditional whole-foods diet consisting of meat, fish, grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, starches, fruits, and vegetables definitely provides a sufficient platform for surviving, reproducing, and living up to 70-100 years old. If it was simply untrue, the humanity would have gone extinct many centuries ago. However, in order to unveil full health potential, an individual is recommended to give fruitarian diet a chance. Transitioning over to raw vegan fruitarian lifestyle typically takes years, because every single organism over the course of its existence got adapted to processing different foods and breaking them down. Transitioning overnight would imply causing stress to human body and cutting off essential nutrients. The process of starvation then begins. Going from standard american diet to raw vegan fruitarian lifestyle is a process requiring patience and time, and it should originate from a broader inner understanding of the current health situation rather than from blindly following guru’s suggestions without truly grasping the topic and listening to one’s body.

YUM

Fruits are perfect food for humans. No wonder most people have sweet tooth – they just lack an understanding on how to properly satisfy it. This sugar craving is understandable because every cell in our body is in need of fructose for high performance. While this fruitarian branch of nutrition field is in obvious need for additional research, those rare individuals who transition report not getting sick anymore, avoiding flus and colds, experiencing a lot of energy, requiring less sleep, and overall feeling better (Graham). In century of global health crisis, resolving these troubling wellness issues should be prioritized, and fruits could definitely be one of the promising and awaited answers.

Bibliography

Ballard, Olivia. “Human Milk Composition: Nutrients and Bioactive Factors.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3586783/.

Bernarr. “The Benefits of Eating Uncooked Food.” Health101, health101.org/art_raw_foods.htm.

“Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs).” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds).

“Control of the Hydrogen Ion Activity (PH) in the Body.” University of Sydney, www.anaesthesia.med.usyd.edu.au/resources/lectures/acidbase_mjb/control.html.

Dubs, Joe. “Humans Are Frugivores – We're Designed To Eat Mostly Fruit.” Creation Is Love, creationislove.com/humans-are-frugivores-were-designed-to-eat-mostly-fruit/.

Fuhrman, Joel. “Dangers of Atkins Diet.” Health101, health101.org/art_Atkins_diet.htm.

Graham, Douglas. The 80/10/10 Diet. 2006.

Klaper, Michael. “The Blood Type Diet: Fact or Fiction?” Health101, health101.org/art_blood_type_diet.htm.

“Length-for-Age Girls (WHO Child Growth Standards).” World Health Organization, www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/cht_lfa_girls_p_0_2.pdf.

"Overweight and Obesity Statistics". National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases

“Water Content in Food and Other Products.” Engineering Toolbox, www.engineeringtoolbox.com/water-content-d_131.html.

World Health Organization. "GLOBAL REPORT ON DIABETES". 2016

“Watermelon, Raw Nutrition Facts & Calories.” Nutrition Data, nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/2072/2.

180 DEGREES

I've been wanting to write this post for a while and share what I discovered with those interested. Personally, it feels there should frankly be no person indifferent to the issues connected to their own health, future of our planet, or even animals undergoing unbelievable sufferings. A year ago, I had no idea of what information I was about to come across. It was a complete 180 degree shift, and a reason for me to finally become completely plant-based and perceive it as the most logical way to nourish oneself. I will address three most common reasons why and how I believe in what I believe today, hoping that I might change somebody's perception on animal-based foods.

HEALTH
In December, my dad told me about 'The China Study' by Dr. Campbell. He was on a phone with me and mentioned this massive research collected by one scientist who suggested that the consumption of animal-based foods is very detrimental to our health. I was skeptical: how can some book change my beliefs and turn me into vegetarian, or even vegan? It did not make sense. But, as a person curious about nutrition, I read it. The more I read, the more flabbergasted I became. Animal-based products are correlated with cancer development? With diabetes? Parkinson's? Alzheimer's? Blindness? Heart diseases? Dr. Campbell introduces research from different scientists from all around the world and all of those suggest one thing people never thought of: animal-based foods are... really bad for us. The author named it 'The China Study' after his investigation of Chinese rural communities where plant-based food is prevalent. Chinese rural population rarely suffers from any of the western diseases, and the question is how much is it due to their diet? Rice and vegetables make up their daily ration, and they simply can not afford consuming meat which surprisingly leads to their incredible health results. While on average rural Chinese consume more calories than Americans do, their cases of obesity are fewer by a great number. 

I studied more, and I realized another thing that struck me. Our bodies anatomically were never designed to consume meat in a first place. It doesn't come down to only our teeth which are resembling of frugivores' anatomy and not omnivores' or carnivores'. Our digestion system processes food for a much longer period of time than what it takes for an omnivore or carnivore. Our saliva is chemically not designed to boost the process of a meat digestion. In nature, species closest to ours consume fruits. So why do we neglect this critical information and why do we not get educated on what our bodies actually need?

The consumption of dairy is even a weirder concept. It is a liquid meant for baby cows to grow and develop as fast as they can. Why don't people drink giraffe's milk? Once I thought about it and realized what a non-sense it is, dairy became waaaay less appealing and appetizing to me.

One question that is typically asked of vegans/vegetarians is 'Where would you get your protein from?'. I recently watched a documentary called 'What the health?' on Netflix, and it addresses this question in a really nicely put manner. A typical American, highly concerned with the 21-st century hype about sufficient protein intake, consumes more protein than he really needs but he actually lacks fiber. So the real question here is 'Where do you get your fiber from?'. Regarding protein intake, I, a 20-year-old female of an average weight, need around 40 grams of protein per day. When I went vegan, I looked up nutritional information on acai bowls consisting of granola, acai, and fruits. So one bowl from Nekter juice bar has 10 grams of protein already, which satisfies one quarter of my daily intake. Incredible! Who could have thought! One of the doctors being interviewed in "What the health' reveals that he had never had a patient who had an insufficient protein intake. Wonders!

The only supplement I would definitely recommend taking is B12 which is synthesized by bacteria in nature. Animals receive it through consuming unwashed plants, and humans get it through eating animals' tissues. On a vegan diet, because we wash all the fruits and veggies and eliminate the bacteria, taking a supplement makes total sense.

I tried summarizing what I learned about the impact of veganism on health in this portion of my post. In general, I came to strongly believe that people can be perfectly fine off without necessarily eating animal-based products.  

If you are interested in health aspect of veganism, watch or read:
1. 'The China Study' by Dr. Campbell
2. 'Forks over Knives' 
3. 'What the Health'

ANIMALS
If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarians. This was another aspect I never truly considered, because I thought it is a cycle of nature for a predator to hunt and a victim to be hunted. However, it is not. What perverted form humans turned this 'cycle of nature' into does not even nearly relate to the concept itself.  Yes, animals do get killed, but have you ever thought what life they have before the slaughter stage? An endless suffering from the very beginning until the very end? Cows who get consistently impregnated over the span of their lives in order to be a milk producing machine and die at 4 from the exhaustion instead of 20? Chickens who are placed into tiny cages and made produce 300 eggs a year instead of regular 12? Chickens who eat their own eggs in despair because of a terrible lack of calcium? What??? How did that happen!
There are two short videos I became familiar with over this summer which maintained and furthered my perceptional 180 degrees shift. 

This one is about dairy (it is 5 minutes long and absolutely worth watching):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcN7SGGoCNI

This one is about the egg industry (a little longer but still very very very worth giving a try):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utPkDP3T7R4

Later on, the evening I decided to go vegan, I watched Earthlings (http://www.nationearth.com). It was truly one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever seen. I would not be able to describe it (because Joaquin Phoenix narrates it way better) but for anyone with a heart, it is an absolute must-watch. We are born freely just like other species, and it does not give us any rights to turn other earthlings into our property. And if reincarnation is true, being reborn into cattle is one of the most miserable scenarios out there. 
I went vegan because I do not want to economically contribute a penny to these heartlessness, deaths, and cruelty. Again, just a year ago, who could have thought.. I couldn't.


ENVIRONMENT
One of the biggest contributors to global warming (which is very real and very terrifying) is agricultural segment. Yes, not transport. Yes, not fossil fuels. Agriculture and livestock. The amount of CO2 being emitted by raising all these animals is way more than we can imagine. Sadly, however, people are rarely educated on this matter as well as the water consumption by this industry.  It takes 2500 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef and only 25 gallons to produce a pound of wheat. Terrible hurricanes, ice caps melting, droughts and famine can be prevented or at least highly reduced just if we stop or decrease the consumption of animal-based products. 
Environment is one aspect I haven't studied in detail yet, but 'Cowspiracy' on Netflix explains the subject pretty well. Again, it seems very important to me to at least be educated on all these topics, and then make a conscious decision whether you still want to stay an omnivore.


I tried summarizing why and how I got to the place I am at right now. There is so much more to it than what I described, but I might post more information later on. I was a pescatarian for a half a year before I became vegan around a month ago. All of the research I did implies that this is the most proper way to nourish yourself and not harm anyone, including our planet and other species. While I do not want to force my perspective upon anyone, I feel it is important to individuals who care about their health to realize what is truly happening behind the scenes. Some people might be concerned with how doable is veganism, and I can answer that I haven't regretted my decision even once ever since I went plant-based. I could not feel happier about my new diet and about myself at this point. We will see how it goes, but at this point I see it as the most sensible and the most kind solution.