Role of greens in a healthful human diet (WAS: WOW Challenge)

[Guest guest]

Rawschool [ <Rawschool >

Rawschool ] On Behalf Of Lane Martin

Friday, July 21, 2006 1:30 PM

 

And Elchanan, why do you say to eat greens and some others here, (Nora) say it's

not necessary?

 

 

Thanks,

Lane

 

_____

 

Greetings Lane and all,

 

Lane, thank you so much for sharing this inquiry. You are correct, this is one

point about which

Nora and I have differing views.

 

I realize that it can be difficult, hearing different things, wondering what is

the best course

to follow. As always, I am happy to share my understanding and perceptions with

you and all.

 

You may recall one of Robert's recent posts, in which he discussed the various

sciences that are

most central to an analysis of our species' inherent food requirements. If I

recall correctly,

Robert identified comparative anatomy at or near the top of his list. At least

within the

context of the life and social sciences, I agree wholeheartedly with Robert.

 

In the world of biological taxonomy (classification), our human species (Homo

sapiens sapiens)

is classified as one of the hominids (the family Hominoidae). Other members of

this family are

the four great apes: chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), bonobo (Pan paniscus),

gorilla (Gorilla

gorilla), and orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), as well as the " lesser " (smaller)

apes: gibbons and

siamangs. This classification is based upon analysis of DNA data, and no other

primates are

classified in this group...they are all classified as monkeys of one sort or

another.

 

From a genetic perspective, we are most closely related to the bonobos and

chimpanzees, then the

gorillas, then the others. Last time I looked into the matter, researchers were

reporting that

we share more than 99% of our genetic code with the bonobos, more than 98% with

the chimpanzees.

As Robert pointed out in another of his posts, closely related species share

common dietary

requirements and preferences. Since we have almost completely removed our own

species from

Nature, we can therefore learn a great deal about our own intrinsic nature by

observing how our

biologically closest relatives eat and live.

 

In this case, there is a large body of literature and observation (e.g., the

work of Jane

Goodall), generated during the past half-century, recording that the bonobos,

chimpanzees, and

gorillas eat very large quantities of green leaves on an ongoing/daily basis.

 

- Some of you may be familiar with Victoria Boutenko's work on green smoothies.

While I differ

with Victoria on the wisdom of substituting the Vita-Mix in place of chewing, I

note her

exploration here because, in her own research, she, too uncovered extensive

evidence that our

closest relatives do indeed consume large quantities of greens. Hence, her

program of green

smoothies.

 

- Dr. Doug Graham, author of the 80/10/10 raw vegan approach to diet and

nutrition, is a regular

proponent of greens. Doug specifically distinguishes between frugivores, whose

diet consists

primarily of fruits, and fruitarians, people who (claim to) eat 100% fruit.

Based upon his

research and clinical experience, a purely fruitarian diet for our species

eventually fails.

 

- Other well-known natural hygiene teachers, such as Dr. Tim Trader, Dr.

Virginia Vetrano, and

Dr. Dave Klein, also include greens in their dietary recommendations. .

 

If we move from comparative anatomy and consider the nutritional content of

green leaves vs.

fruits, we find that green leaves offer certain substances that are either not

present at all in

fruits, or in lesser quantities. In particular, phytonutrients occur

predominantly in green

leaves as the product of photosynthesis. In addition, calorie for calorie, green

leaves are the

richest overall source of alkalizing minerals and an excellent source of

vitamins and various

other nutrient types.

 

Finally, green leaves -- tender greens in particular -- bring into our system a

different mix of

soluble/digestible and insoluble/indigestible fiber than do most fruits. And the

indigestible

fiber contributes significantly to proper peristalsis, which moves food through

the digestive

tract. This fiber also contributes toward healthy stool formation, and the

presence of some

indigestible fiber allows the colon time to reabsorb (recover, recycle) water

into the system

prior to digestive elimination.

 

One could explore this topic in much greater depth, but for now, I hope what I

share here is

sufficient to convey why I recommend greens in a healthful RF vegan diet.

 

Best to all,

Elchanan