Enzymes?  Aren’t those the supplements we take for digestion?  The truth is, enzymes are a vital part of every physiological process in the body. Enzymes live in every cell in your body, and more than 3,000 different enzymes have been identified, each with a different function. While enzymes do indeed help promote a healthy digestive system, they are also important for other functions in the body.

Why Does Your Body Need Enzymes?

Your body requires enzymes for:

  • Energy production
  • The absorption of oxygen
  • Fighting infections and healing wounds
  • Reducing inflammation
  • Getting nutrients to the cells
  • Carrying away toxic waste
  • Breaking down fats in the blood
  • Dissolving blood clots
  • Proper hormone regulation
  • Slowing the aging process

Low enzyme production and activation can leave you feeling tired and weak.  Many culprits can be blamed for this:  a diet heavy in cooked foods, a high intake of sugar and processed foods, and the overuse of antibiotics and other pharmaceutical drugs can actually deplete the body’s enzyme supply.

So we need to think about how we can get more enzymes into our cells and activate the ones already there.  Raw foods, living foods, help us get there. Eating whole, raw enzyme-rich foods can help decrease your body’s burden to produce its own enzymes. The more enzyme-rich foods you eat, the better!

Start eating these six enzyme-rich foods, and activate your enzymes:

1. Sprouts

Seeds and nuts—in their raw, dormant state—contain enzyme inhibitors.  That’s what keeps the seeds from sprouting!  But when you soak them in a bit of water and let that seed start to sprout—BAM!—the seed and all its nutrients become active.  Sprouts are amazing powerhouses of activated enzymes.  Our bodies need enzymes to break down food.  Sprouts and all raw food come with all the enzymes we need for digestion, so our bodies don’t have to produce digestive enzymes to do all the work.

1. Pineapples

Pineapples contain a compound known as bromelain, which has been shown to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. Pineapples also contain several important enzymes, including protein-digesting enzymes known as cysteine proteinases. These enzymes have the ability to help with excessive inflammation, coagulation of the blood, and even certain types of tumor growth.

2. Avocados

Avocados contain the highest amount of fat in the fruit kingdom, so it makes sense that they contain lipase, an enzyme needed to break down dietary fat. Lipase may also help relieve indigestion. The nutrients and enzymes in avocados can help reduce inflammation in the body.

3. Bananas

Bananas aren’t just rich in potassium. They’re also a great source of two different enzymes known as amylase and maltase. Amylase, which is also found in your saliva, is the first enzyme to begin breaking down carbohydrates.  That’s what makes starchy foods taste sweet as you chew.  Maltase breaks down maltose or malt sugar in the body.

4. Bee Pollen

Bee pollen contains almost all of the nutrients humans need, along withwith a wide variety of important enzymesIn fact, bee pollen contains over 5,000 enzymes. The phytonutrients—including co-enzymes that facilitate enzyme activity—also number in the thousands. It’s a natural antioxidant that supports the immune system. You can add bee pollen to your trail mix, oatmeal, smoothies or other snacks to incorporate it into your diet.

5. Papayas

Papaya is rich in proteolytic enzymes, including papain. Papain plays an important role in keeping the digestive system healthy. It’s considered one of the most effective enzymes to break down meat and other proteins in the body, and it has powerful anti-inflammatory benefits.

6. Fermented Foods

Let’s face it, fermented foods may not be on your food radar yet, but they should be.  Fermented vegetables are an excellent dietary source of many nutrients, including LIVE enzymes—just make sure your sauerkraut hasn’t been pasteurized). These live enzymes are accompanied by beneficial probiotics, which makes an exceptional combination for an effective digestive process.  Think sauerkraut and kimchi, and even pickles done right!

Watch the video below for more information on the importance of enzymes in raw foods: