Expert: Sudesh Samuel - 11/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: Dear Sudesh

I could not find the right category. Hope you can help. Also I want an opinion from a qualified person.

I'll like to know if we eat fresh fruits or vegetables or any raw thing, will we as human able to get those enzyme, ie will it benefit us or the enzyme in the fruits or vegetables is solely for breaking/digesting the fruit or vegetable. What if the fruits or vegetables is cut? Will the enzyme still be there? Can you obtain enzyme externally? I understand our bodies produce enzyme.

Also they say that preferably you should eat fruits on an empty stomach or before meal. Why is this so?

Thank you. Your reply is very much appreciated.

Cheers

Eddie

ANSWER: hello Eddie, enzymes are mostly manufactured by the body from having adequate nutrition and functional capability. What other benefits of whole enzymes that come from the diet usually are associated with breaking down food in the gut so that nutrients from such food can be better absorbed and such food products cause less unpleasant side effects like constipation, stomach aches etc. Enzymes come in a variety of forms and are meant for a variety of functions even for those that could be obtained from diet or dietary supplements. The effectiveness of such preparations however is often variable. In general and under normal circumstances, most fruits can be consumed before, during or after meals without significant differences in effectiveness or problems. Some fruits may be acidic and could irritate the stomach if taken on an empty stomach. Others have constituents that could interact with food or medication to increase or decrease the absorption of nutrients or medicaments. It really depends. If you are unsure about any particular fruit, food or medication, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Hope this helps.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Sudesh

Thank you very much for your answer. If I may ask further, will our stomach acids destroy the nutrients in the food we eat?

If we eat raw, since the enzyme in the raw food will digest it, therefore is it true less stomach acid will be secreted?

By the way what is the purpose of eating raw?

Thank you. Your reply is very much appreciated.

Sincerely

Eddie

Answer
How a nutrient is defined is relevant to how digestive processes affect our nutrition. Most aspects of the foods that we eat are likely to undergo some form of digestion or chemical change and this can often allow specific nutrients to change into an absorbable form that is useful to the body. In other instances specific nutrients get digested or broken down by stomach acids and other varied body environments like the intestines and these then lose value to the body. Stomach acid is often secreted in response to various stimuli and this includes the quantity, type and timing of food taken. Some enzymes that may be available in raw food are not necessarily there to digest the food although they do affect other chemical reactions that may occur in the particular food. Eating raw has different purposes, some forms of raw food provide greater nutrition value while others provide more fibre for the body to stimulate bowel movements and still other purposes may be served by stimulating the body's digestive processes.