The History of the Raw Foods Movement

According to widely read vegan and health-food websites, eating raw is far from being the ‘newest thing’. Think about it this way: long before accessibility to modern cooking appliances, people had to eat regularly. They would typically consume the majority of their foods raw.

In The Evolution Of Diet, National Geographic summarized the history of Raw Food diets in terms of Western cultures adapting raw eating practices for philosophical reasons and health benefits. These earliest notions can be traced back to the ancient Greeks. In ancient Greece, students that followed Pythagoras, known as the ‘Mathematikoi’, were required to be Vegetarians. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, was one of Pythagoras’ most famous students. He is famous for saying, “Let food be your medicine”. Research has proposed that both Pythagoras and Hippocrates ate raw, vegan diets.

The Modern History of the Raw Foods Movement

The raw foods movement, as we know it today, began to take shape in the 1930s. Dr. Paul Kouchakoff, a researcher at the Institute of Clinical Chemistry in Lausanne, Switzerland, played a key role. He conducted scientific studies on the effects of raw versus cooked foods.

Dr. Kouchakoff discovered that the body’s typical “toxic” response to food—called digestive leukocytosis—only occurs after eating cooked foods. This response causes a spike in white blood cell count, similar to the body’s reaction to injury or illness. In contrast, raw plant foods do not trigger this immune response. His research suggested that our bodies experience less stress when we eat raw, vegetarian foods.

Since then, interest in raw food has continued to grow. In the 21st century, more people have turned to raw diets for health reasons, inspired by both medical findings and a desire for natural living. Foods like raw nuts and seeds have nourished humans since prehistoric times—and they’re still staples in modern raw diets.

Ready to Try a Raw Foods Diet?

Feeling curious? If you’re thinking about trying a raw foods diet, now is a great time to start exploring. Begin by learning the basics and checking out some helpful resources. Books are a great way to dive in.

Here are three top-rated books on Amazon that can guide your journey:

• 21 Pounds in 21 Days: The Martha’s Vineyard Diet Detox

• The Raw Deal: The Real Benefits of Eating Raw for Health and Weight Loss

• The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Raw

Final Thoughts

Good luck on your raw foods journey! You might even inspire your loved ones to join you. If you want to find out who the most famous American vegans are, then click here.