This could be described as a 'back to the future' diet. Proponents say that our modern, highly processed, nutrient rich diet is responsible for diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and even bad jaw development, until recently believed to be genetic. Based partly on the belief that cooking destroys plant enzymes important in digestion,the raw food diet reconstructs ancient eating habits and claims to bring about natural weight loss as part of a gradual return to a healthy metabolism.