The amount of energy needed to digest cooked meat is less than that needed for raw meat , and cooking gelatinizes collagen and other connective tissues as well , it `` opens up tightly woven carbohydrate molecules for easier absorption . '' The amount of energy needed to digest cooked meat is less than raw meat , and cooking gelatinizes collagen and other connective tissues as well , `` opens up tightly woven carbohydrate molecules for easier absorption . ''