Photosynthesis converts sunlight plus carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and water (H 2 O) into sugar
(C 6 H 12 O 6 ) and oxygen (O 2 ). There are two phases—the light phase, where sunlight is converted
to chemical energy in the form of Adenosine TriPhosphate (ATP); and the dark phase, where
that ATP is used (via the Calvin Cycle) to convert the CO 2 and water into sugar and O 2.
The overall reaction is written as:
6CO 2 + 6H 2 O (+ light energy) C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2All living cells in turn use fuels derived from glucose. They also oxidize the hydrogen and carbon to
release the energy, and reform the water and carbon dioxide in the process (cellular respiration).
Photosynthesis is the most fundamental of life processes—arguably the most important process on
the planet. (That’s why is inspired the Nutrient Rich® logo),
This system would make most engineers jealous because it is nearly 100% efficient; the transfer of
energy is nearly instantaneous because of quantum coherenceii. In simplest terms, the energy
waves from the sun “overlap” and allow reactions to occur simultaneously, rather than in a step-by-
step process.
I know that may not mean much to you at this time, but for over 99% of their time on this planet,
humans have eaten a mainly plant-based diet died derived directly from the energy of the sun and
the process of photosynthesis.
Plants form the basis of the food chain and provide all the necessary nutrients not only for life, but
for health and vitality as well. In other words, plants are nutrient rich or nutrient dense—and since
you can get virtually all you need from the world of plants, why go anywhere else?
Everything Your Body Needs: The Nutritional Adequacy of Plant-Based Diets
Given the facts, the history, the science, and the evidence, the nutritional adequacy of plant-based
diets shouldn’t even be called into question. If anything, we should be questioning the nutritional
adequacy of the Standard American Diet, weight loss-only diets and half-baked “healthier” diets.
On the one hand, it blows my mind when people question whether they will be adequately
nourished when making the switch to a Nutrient Rich® healthy eating style—when they are
currently eating nutrient-poor and suffering its many ill effects.