​Incorporating Food Enzymes into Your Diet

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Enzymes are an essential part of many different types of body functions, including breathing, circulation, and transporting nutrients. Many people aren't aware of just how essential enzymes are – or how simple it is choose foods that support enzymes.

 

Enzymes Explained Simply
Put simply, enzymes are active proteins and are found in every living cell. There are several types of enzymes found in the human body:

• Metabolic enzymes. These enzymes regulate all biochemical reactions that occur in the human body. They are essential for both cellular function and overall health.
• Digestive enzymes. These turn the food we eat into energy.

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Both metabolic and digestive enzymes are created in the body when we need them. While there are two categories of enzymes, in total there are more than 1,300 different specific enzymes. Without these enzymes we wouldn't be able to see, hear, move, digest food or even think. Every single organ in the human body, every tissue and all cells need these enzymes to get energy.

 

Understanding Food Enzymes
While the body is capable of making its own enzymes, we can also help it along by eating foods that are rich in supplemental enzymes. For example, raw foods typically have enzymes and can be a great source of digestive enzymes. However, their enzymes are broken down and diminished or destroyed when cooked. This is why raw fruits and vegetables tend to have more nutritional benefits than do cooked fruits and vegetables.

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Good Sources of Enzymes
Now that you have a basic understanding of the role enzymes play, let's consider how you can boost your consumption of enzymes. A great side effect is that certain enzymes don't just help your body to work properly, but they can also help balance cholesterol and better convert protein to muscle.

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Fruits and Vegetables

As mentioned above, the best way to get enzymes from fruits and vegetables is to eat them raw. Certain fruits and vegetables have higher than average enzymes, including:

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• Bananas
• Cranberries
• Figs
• Grapes
• Kiwi
• Mangoes
• Papayas
• Pineapples
• Avocados
• Lemons

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These fruits and vegetables are high in digestive enzymes, which do help digestion as mentioned above, but can also help to eliminate disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Without these essential enzymes you can notice more fatigue, and a higher chance of infection and illness.

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Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are excellent sources of live enzymes. If you choose nuts, go for raw, unsalted options that you can find in health stores. The enzymes found in nuts and seeds include both digestive and metabolic enzymes and they can help to clear your arteries, improve organ function, and balance your blood sugar. Good sources of enzymes are found in:

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• Almonds
• Cashews
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Many people are now aware of the many health benefits of extra-virgin olive oil, but many don't realize how high it is in digestive enzymes. Extra-virgin olive oil can help improve the metabolism, can help with detoxification, fat-burning and even energy production. Keep in mind though that the benefits from enzymes are best utilized when you don't heat the olive oil. For example, drizzle some on your salad or add a dash to some raw vegetables. It's still better to cook with olive oil than with other types of vegetable oil, but you won't get the full benefits if that's the only way you use it.