You probably remember the Raw Food fad from a few years ago. But you’ve also heard anthropologists say it’s cooking that put us humans on top. THE TRUTH is that cooking can enhance your absorption of certain nutrients AND … Cooking can reduce the amount of certain nutrients in certain foods. Here's a a quick look at which vegetables are best raw and which are best cooked. ============ Best Raw ============ Onions Raw onions give you more beneficial compounds called thiosulfinates. Heat breaks down thiosulfinates. Beets The dietary nitrates in beets have been linked to numerous health benefits including lower blood pressure. Beets also contain flavonoids (good!) and betalains, a compound with proven antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and liver protective properties. Kale Kale is loaded with compounds called glucosinolates. An enzyme converts glucosinolates to new compounds ("isothiocyanates") that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer