Fruitarianism

A fruit stall in Barcelona, Spain.

Fruitarians (frugivores or fructarians) eat mostly or only the fruit of plants.[1]

There are different variations of fruitarianism. Many fruitarians hold the definition to one that eats 100% fruit, while others have diets that are 75% or more fruit, with the rest consisting of ingredients from a vegan diet other than fruit [2].

Fruitarian definition of fruit

When discussing food, the term "fruit" usually refers to just those plant fruits that are sweet and fleshy (including plums, apples, and oranges). Botanically, though, some foods commonly called "vegetables" (including the bell pepper, tomato, and cucumber), as well as nuts and grains, are fruits.

Fruitarians use differing definitions of what is considered a "fruit."

Definition of fruitarian

Some fruitarians will eat only what falls (or would fall) naturally from a plant, that is: foods that can be harvested without killing the plant. These food consist primarily of culinary fruits, nuts, and seeds (excluding grains) [3]. Many do not eat grains, either because they believe it is unnatural to do so[4] or because they are raw foodists (grains are usually not palatable unless cooked). Some fruitarians feel that it is improper for to eat seeds[5]. Others eat seeds and cooked foods.[6]

Many fruitarians use the botanical definitions of fruits and consume pulses,[7] while others include green leafy vegetables[8] and/or root vegetables[9] in their diet. Some occasionally consume some dairy products as well.[10]

Motivation

Some fruitarians believe fruitarianism was the original diet of mankind in the form of Adam and Eve based on Genesis 1:29.[11] They believe that a return to an Eden-like paradise will require simple living, surrender of anything "modern" (electricity, medication, housing, clothing, etc.) and a holistic approach to health and diet.

Other fruitarians wish to avoid killing in all its forms, including plants.[12]

Some fruitarians say that eating some types of fruit does the parent plant a favor and that fleshy fruit has evolved to be eaten by animals, to achieve seed dispersal[13][14]. Fruit seeds passed in feces may sprout in a pile of ready-made fertilizer, encouraging proliferation of the plant, but only if one defecates outside, which most Westerners do not. Fruit cores or pits, however, will be tossed aside to sprout too near the parent plant to gain any benefit.

Interestingly, frugivorous origin of the humans has been mentioned in ("Fruits, fingers, and fermentation: The sensory cues available to foraging primates", Dominy NJ, Integrative and Comparative Biol 44 (4): 295-303 AUG 2004; "Ferment in the family tree: Does a frugivorous dietary heritage influence contemporary patterns of human ethanol use?", Milton K, Integrative and Comparative Biol 44 (4): 304-314 AUG 2004; "Ethanol, fruit ripening, and the historical origins of human alcoholism in primate frugivory", Dadley R, Integrative and Comparative Biol 44 (4): 315-323 AUG 2004, "Evolutionary origins of human alcoholism in primate frugivory", Dadley R, Q Rev Biol. 2000 Mar;75(1):3-15).

According to ("Origin of Human Bipedalism: The Knuckle-Walking Hypothesis Revisited", BG Richmond, DR Begun, DS Strait; Yearbook of Physical Anthropology, 44:70-105(2001)), the morphology of the early humans implies "a fairly frugivorous diet".

Above all, "fruits are also appealing to man's visual, olfactory and gustatory senses" (Dr. Shelton, "Hygienic Review", June 1976).

Examples of successful Fruitarians

• Dr. Marvin Katz, fruitarian ethics professor, philosophy lecturer at the University of Akron.[15]
• Francisco Martin, President of the Vegan Society of Spain, fruitarian since 1987.[16]
• Essie Honiball, a book author. "She has been working for many years to make the fruit diet scientifically recognised".[17]
• Karen Noble, owner of a raw-food centre in Barnet, north London, "has not had a cold since 1983, when she became a fruitarian".[18]
• Johanna Brandt of South Africa discovered the Grape Cure, which "has been responsible for the cure of many people. Johanna tried to obtain support of the scientific community but it was denied. Several doctors gave her a hand and she managed to take her message to all those who were willing to hear her".[19]
• Arne Wingqvist, a long-term fruitarian, a walkathon participant, a student of Dr. Shelton Health School,[20] has renewed his vigor and vitality due to fruitarianism.[21]
• Teresa Mitchell of Hungary, who gave her testimonial about overcomoing several health problems with fruitarianism in Rational Fasting by Professor Arnold Ehret.[22]
• Fernanda Almeida of Mozambique who cured her hepatitis C with fruitarianism.[23]

Ancient Fruitarians

Some believe that Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden were fruitarians (Behold I have given you herb yielding seed. To you it shall be for meat; Genesis l:29)[24]. Others interpret this to mean they were raw vegans[25].

The Essene Gospel of Peace, claims that the Essenes were raw foodists and fruitarians[26]. The only person claiming to have seen the original manuscript, Edmond Bordeaux Szekely, continues to publish new portions of this text, well after his death in 1979. Most scholars doubt the gospel existed.

Some fruitarians contend that Jesus was an Essene who practiced a mainly fruitarian diet, although this contradicts the mainline Bible (Matthew 15:34-37) and virtually all scholarship on the Essenes.[27]

Fictional

• The K-PAXian in Gene Brewer's K-PAX book series and film.
• The Eloi from HG Wells's The Time Machine.
• One of Hugh Grant's potential love interests in the film Notting Hill
• The evil Medusa Johnson (Gloria Foster; the Oracle in The Matrix Trilogy) in the feature film Leonard Part 6 also starring Bill Cosby

Criticisms

• According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health "natural food sources of vitamin B12 are limited to foods that come from animals."[28]

• Many notable advocates of fruitarianism in the past, including Morris Krok[29], Johnny Lovewisdom, Walter Siegmeister/Raymond Bernard, and Viktoras Kulvinskas ate considerable quantities of vegetables and occasional cooked foods and vegetables. Others switched to other unorthodox lifestyles (including breatharianism and liquitarianism (juices only), or recommended against the diet once they stopped (Morris Krok[30]).

See also

• Inedia
• The Celestine Prophecy
• Christian vegetarianism
• Diet (nutrition)
• Juice fasting
• Jainism
• Natural Hygiene
• New Age
• Nutrition
• Raw food diet
• Raw veganism
• Simple living
• Veganism

External links

• fruitarians.blogspot.com
• What is fruitarian? at Fruitarian Network
• Waking Up from the Fruitarian Dreamtime - Critique of fruitarianism.
• List of pro-fruitarian articles.
• Strongly pro-fruitarian article
• Are We Vegetarians Or Fruitarians?