Eating Raw Meat

A new trend nowadays is eating raw meat and following only a raw meat diet. Much as we have heard about the harmful effects of consuming meat in its raw form, the supporters of a raw meat diet argue that our ancestors would also consume raw meat, and there is very little evidence of sickness caused due to doing so. Since we are their descendants, our body is naturally adapted to eating raw meat. The raw meat diet is also followed by popular celebrities such as Uma Thurman, and Demi Moore, who swear by its health benefits.

The Raw Meat Diet

Many of us may consider eating raw meat as primitive, unhealthy, and disease-causing. However, there is a group of people who believe otherwise. Several people believe that consuming meat in its raw form is the key to good health, and that cooked food destroys all the nutrients that are present in its raw form. They thus, follow a diet that contains raw eggs, raw dairy and raw meat, which they find very beneficial for digestive health and highly nutritious.

People who believe that consuming raw meat is essential for good health, frown upon cooked or even smoked meat. They believe that cooking any type of meat above a temperature of 104 ºF causes it to lose its nutritional value, and renders it unhealthy. The food that can be included in the raw meat diet includes:

• Uncooked/Unprocessed meat
• Raw eggs
• Raw dairy
• Aged meat/Fish
• Organ meats such as liver
• Century eggs (aged raw animal food)

All the meat that is consumed in a raw meat diet is free-range or grass-fed. Free-range is a type of husbandry, where animals are not caged or controlled in any manner. Instead, they are allowed complete and free access to the farm. This is done so that the cost of feeding is reduced, and so that the quality of meat is better. The environment also has an effect on animals, and the happier they are, the better the final product for you to consume.

Benefits of Eating Raw Meat

Based on several research studies, and the experience of people who have taken to eating raw meat, the following benefits have been discovered:

• Studies have shown that the body digests only raw food thoroughly, not cooked food that produces carcinogenic toxins. These toxins are known to have several side effects on the body.
• Several people have found that switching to a raw meat diet, has given them better health, and have reversed diseases that they were severely affected by.
• Research has also shown that people who suffer from vomit and diarrhea are the ones who eat cooked food, and not raw food. Apparently, the microbes and pathogens that cause food poisoning are found in the environment, and not in the food itself. This is how perhaps, those who have eaten raw meat may have suffered from food poisoning.
• Eating free-range raw meat makes it less prone to the development of harmful bacteria such as E.coli and salmonella. This means, the risk of developing disease from such dangerous bacteria is greatly reduced.
• According to a research, the amount of E.coli in such meat that is grass-fed is minimal. This amount cannot survive in the human system, and is easily eliminated from the body.
• Raw meat that is grass fed, and not grain fed, also has high quantities of vitamins, minerals and Omega-3 fatty acids.

While following the raw meat diet, you have to ensure that the source you purchase it from is a good, hygienic one. Grocery bought meat will never be safe, if eaten raw. Make sure that you acquaint yourself with a local raw meat supplier, identify his sources, and then start with your diet.

Harmful Effects of Eating Raw Meat

If you are resorting to a raw meat diet, you have to make sure that the meat is organic, free-range, and fresh. If you do not, following are the risks you may be undertaking:

• You may contract the bacteria called E.coli, effects of which include severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and dehydration.
• Salmonella is another bacteria that can be ingested, causing symptoms of a salmonella infection such as a severe stomach upset, diarrhea and nausea.
• Another bacteria that can be consumed while eating raw meat is Campylobacter jejuni. This can cause severe abdominal problem, fever and headaches.
• Several people have already suffered from food poisoning and indigestion because of the consumption of undercooked meat.
• You also run the risk of getting tapeworm if you start eating raw meat.

Every human being has a digestive system that is different from the other. How your body adapts to the raw meat diet may be different from someone else. So, before you take to consuming raw meat, do ensure that you consult a doctor, and a nutritionist to guide you in the right manner, and tell you how to eat raw meat so that it is beneficial for you, without any side effects.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.