The Rise of Raw Foodism

The contemporary raw food movement has roots in 19th-century health trends, with figures like Swiss physician Maximilian Oskar Bircher Benner at the forefront, advocating raw diets for various ailments. This movement gained momentum in the 1960s and 70s, largely influenced by countercultural sentiments that rejected industrialization and a return to natural living. The ideology reflects an idealization of ancestral diets, as proponents often overlook the potential health risks associated with consuming raw foods. While recent trends emphasize raw milk and raw meat, the movement's appeal lies in a nostalgic desire for unprocessed, 'natural' foods and personal empowerment against mainstream dietary recommendations.