Biblical Foods May Hold the Secrets of Good Health

Deuteronomy 8:8  “ a land with wheat and barley, a land of grapevines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey.” This was Moses’ promise to the Israelites for following the word of God after 40 years of roaming the desert. Not a bad menu.

Let’s examine these 7 Biblical foods.

Wheat, unrefined it increases energy, fights against diabetes and aids in the function of the gallbladder. Barley, lowers cholesterol, reduces the risk of colon cancer and aids in the prevention of arthritis, Grapes, loaded with flavanoids which help fight cardiovascular disease.

Figs,  rich in potassium and calcium, help reduce blood pressure. Pomegranates, high in antioxidants, reduces the risk of cancer. Olive Oil, filled with monounsaturated fats and vitamin E has healing properties . Honey, anti-viral and anti-bacterial with regenerating properties.

So what else did they eat in Biblical times? Well the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible set the guidelines for  what is now considered Kosher food. This was to distinguish the Jews from the rest of the pagan societies of their time. Cattle, sheep, and goats grazed on the land and had a pure diet. They were acceptable food sources. Pigs and hogs ate slop and filth, they were not. Fish with fins and scales dined on plant or smaller fish species but crustaceans and mollusks scavenged  the seas floor. Pretty much any food deemed unclean could not be eaten by a member of the Hebrew faith.

Then what was Christ’s typical dinner, hundreds of years after the Old Testament was written. According to the Bible a typical daily meal consisted of  mostly fish, maybe some barley bread, a piece of honeysuckle and some wine and little fruit for dessert. On special occasions beef and cheese would be added, but very rarely.

Certainly lamb was the Passover meal. Most food was prepared with olive oil and perhaps a little sea salt. A snack would consist of fresh picked figs or olives. Maybe some hearts of palm or artichoke. Basically a Mediterranean  diet pretty close to what’s eaten today.

What’s the point?

Not only is the Bible a source of inspiration and a doctrine of faith, love and charity but it also lends some insight as to what keeps our bodies strong and healthy as well as our souls. Now again I do not profess that my religion is better or more true than any one else’s, but 3,000 years later medical science seems to have proven what people with virtually no technology instinctively knew.

So eat right, drink in moderation and live a long and prosperous life!