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Motivated by religious faith in the [[Old Testament]], some believe fruitarianism was the original diet of humankind in the form of [[Adam and Eve]] as quoted at [[Book of Genesis|Genesis 1:29]]. They believe that a return to an [[Garden of Eden|Eden]]-like [[paradise]] will require [[simple living]], surrender of anything "modern" (electricity, medication, housing, clothing, etc.) and a holistic approach to health and diet ([[Book of Isaiah|Isaiah 11:6-9]]).
Motivated by religious faith in the [[Old Testament]], some believe fruitarianism was the original diet of humankind in the form of [[Adam and Eve]] as quoted at [[Book of Genesis|Genesis 1:29]]. They believe that a return to an [[Garden of Eden|Eden]]-like [[paradise]] will require [[simple living]], surrender of anything "modern" (electricity, medication, housing, clothing, etc.) and a holistic approach to health and diet ([[Book of Isaiah|Isaiah 11:6-9]]).


Other fruitarians wish to avoid killing in all its forms, including plants. They point out that in general, eating some types of fruit actually does the parent plant a favor. Fleshy fruit has evolved to be eaten by animals, to achieve [[Biological dispersal|seed dispersal]]. Fruit seeds passed in feces may sprout in a pile of ready-made [[fertilizer]], encouraging proliferation of the plant. Fruits with cores or pits, however, will be tossed aside to sprout too near the parent plant to gain any benefit. This belief in fruitarianism then is based on considerable idealism and compassion on the part of the individual.
Other fruitarians wish to avoid killing in all its forms, including plants. They point out that in general, eating some types of fruit actually does the parent plant a favor. Fleshy fruit has evolved to be eaten by animals, to achieve [[Biological dispersal|seed dispersal]]. 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. Fruits with cores or pits, however, will be tossed aside to sprout too near the parent plant to gain any benefit. This belief in fruitarianism then is based on considerable idealism and compassion on the part of the individual.


Others still become fruitarians after a casual study of human physiology.{{citeneeded}} Many of these fruitarians make physiological claims to support their diet, and believe that by following such a diet, enhanced health can be acheived.
Others still become fruitarians after a casual study of human physiology.{{citeneeded}} Many of these fruitarians make physiological claims to support their diet, and believe that by following such a diet, enhanced health can be acheived.

Revision as of 12:02, 5 August 2006

A fruit stall in Barcelona, Spain.

Fruitarians (or fructarians) are a subgroup of vegans who eat mostly or only the fruit of plants.

There are different variations of fruitarianism. Many fruitarians hold the definition to one that eats 100% fruit, others have diets that are 75% or more fruit, with the rest being a raw vegan diet.[1]

Fruitarian definition of fruit

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

When discussing fruit as food, the term usually refers to just those plant fruits that are sweet and fleshy (including plum, apple and orange). Botanically, though, many common vegetables (including the bell pepper, tomato and cucumber), as well as nuts and grains, are fruit.

Some fruitarians will eat only what falls (or would fall) naturally from a plant, namely, culinary fruits, nuts, and seeds (excluding grains). Generally, they do not eat grains,[2] which are usually not palatable unless cooked, (most fruitarians are raw foodists).[3]

Another may eat a similar diet, but including other botanical definitions of fruits and consume pulses.[4]Other fruitarians argue that the slippery slope of what 'would' fall from the plant leads to including foods that would otherwise be taboo.[citation needed]

A minority of fruitarians only eat fruit in the culinary sense. Others include green leafy vegetables.[5]

Motivation

Motivated by religious faith in the Old Testament, some believe fruitarianism was the original diet of humankind in the form of Adam and Eve as quoted at Genesis 1:29. 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 (Isaiah 11:6-9).

Other fruitarians wish to avoid killing in all its forms, including plants. They point out that in general, eating some types of fruit actually does the parent plant a favor. Fleshy fruit has evolved to be eaten by animals, to achieve seed dispersal. 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. Fruits with cores or pits, however, will be tossed aside to sprout too near the parent plant to gain any benefit. This belief in fruitarianism then is based on considerable idealism and compassion on the part of the individual.

Others still become fruitarians after a casual study of human physiology.[citation needed] Many of these fruitarians make physiological claims to support their diet, and believe that by following such a diet, enhanced health can be acheived.

Noteworthy fruitarians

  • Walter Siegmeister, under the pen name "Dr. Raymond Bernard", promoted fruitarianism
  • Mahatma Gandhi continually tried to sustain himself on various vegetarian diets, including something similar to fruitarianism. He and his followers continually discontinued these diets as in the long term they proved unsustainable.[6]
  • Hall of Fame basketball player Pete Maravich, for a short period.[citation needed]
  • Steve Jobs (creator of the Apple Computer) for a period in the 1970s.[7]

Biblical fruitarians

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden were supposedly Fruitarians (Behold I have given you herb yielding seed. To you it shall be for meat; Genesis l:29), but the verse may actually refer to any plant that is capable of propagating itself by seeds, implying vegetables in addition to fruits were eaten.

A "lost" gospel, the Essene Gospel of Peace, claims that the Essenes were raw foodists and Fruitarians[8]. 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. The gospel is widely dismissed as a fraud.[1]

A small minority of scholars believe Jesus was an Essene who practiced a mainly fruitarian diet, although this contradicts the mainline Bible (Matthew 15:34-37) and some scholarship on the Essenes.

Fictional fruitarians

Criticisms

(In addition to health risks particular to fruitarianism, all risks associated with veganism apply as well.) Commonly cited criticisms of fruitarianism include:

  • Serious nutritional deficiencies: Some long-time strict fruitarians will develop symptoms of nutritional deficiency as a result of the diet.[9] Many will develop health problems and switch to a broader diet. (Specific health risks are discussed below.)
  • Lack of evidence of successful, long-term fruitarians: Many notable advocates of fruitarianism in the past, including Johnny Lovewisdom, Walter Siegmeister/Raymond Bernard, and Viktoras Kulvinskas were discovered to not be fruitarians. Some ate considerable quantities of vegetables and occasional cooked foods. Others switched to other unorthodox lifestyles (including breatharianism and liquitarianism (juices only).
  • Lack of Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 can only be synthesized by bacteria and archaea. Unless they regularly use supplements, fruitarians (like all other vegans) will not get sufficient amounts of this nutrient. Years of deficiency in vitamin B12 may lead to megaloblastic anemia, macrocytic anemia, serious neurological and mental damage, increased homocysteine (associated with heart disease and arterial deterioration), degeneration of the peripheral nervous system and spinal cord, paranoia, hyperactive reflexes, impotence and infertility. As with all vegans, fruitarians are at risk of serious, permanent bodily damage or death if they do not add B12 supplements or fortified foods to their diets.[10][11]
  • Excessive sugar: Diets high in sugar, as fruitarian regiments may be, are believed by some to lead to hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia or diabetes.[12][13]
  • Lack of protein: Fruits are lower in proteins than many animal products. Nuts, seeds, and pulses are notable exceptions. Additionally, some fruitarians restrict their diets to so-called culinary fruits, rejecting nuts, pulses, and "vegetable" fruits (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc.) Protein deficiency can cause hair loss, insulin resistance, hormonal irregularities and, in extreme cases, kwashiorkor in children. The essential amino acid taurine is absent from any vegan diet which excludes nuts.[14]
  • Digestive problems including colitis, flaccidity, intestinal hemorrhages/hemorrhoids and peristalsis problems: The high organic acid content of many fruits can kill off portions of vital human intestinal flora, draw excessive salts from the intestine and damage the mucosal lining.[15]
  • Dental problems: The high organic acid content in many fruits can strip minerals from teeth. A number of fruitarians have given up the diet due to tooth loss, receding gums and similar problems.[16]

See also

  1. ^ http://text.farmsresearch.com/display.php?print=1&id=15&table=transcripts
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