The 7 "Super Foods" of the Bible
from
Beliefnet.com Health
Trying to eat healthy? Start by opening your
Bible to Deuteronomy 8:8, where the Israelites are promised "a good land…,
a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive
trees and honey." The ancients might not have known the word "antioxidant," but
they were onto something with this list of bible foods. Explore this gallery to
find out exactly how on-target they were with these "super foods."
Bible Food #1 - Wheat
This grain, which is found in everything
from bread to pasta to cakes, is healthier when it is refined as little as
possible. Whole-wheat products (those that are certified 100% whole wheat)
contain 30 percent of your recommended daily fiber intake, as well as high
levels of manganese and magnesium. A diet rich in whole grains is also thought
to increase your energy level and lower your risk of type-2 diabetes,
gallstones, and other health issues.
Bible Food #2 - Barley
Another whole grain, barley can be found in
breads and cereals, as well as in hearty winter soups. High in fiber, barley is
good for intestinal health and can lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of
colon cancer and type-2 diabetes if eaten regularly. Barley also contains trace
amounts of copper, which have been shown to help reduce the symptoms of
arthritis.
Bible Food #3 - Grapes
Everyone knows that grape juice and red wine
are tasty—but healthy? Grapes contain nutritional compounds called
flavonoids, which are believed to reduce your risk of blood clots and protect
your body from damage by the "free radicals" found in LDL, or "bad,"
cholesterol. Rich in antioxidants, grapes may provide protection against
cardiovascular disease, particularly in women.
Bible Food #4 - Figs
These sweet fruits, eaten either dried or
fresh, are high in potassium, a mineral that helps control blood pressure. They
are also high in dietary fiber, which may help you lose weight, and they are a
fruit source of calcium, which can help preserve bone density. Fig leaves,
which are not typically eaten but can be made into an extract, are thought to
help lower insulin levels in diabetics.
Bible Food #5 - Pomegranate
These strange-looking seed fruits are back
in vogue as health-giving super-foods, particularly in juice form. The fruits
are rich in antioxidants, which prevent LDL cholesterol from doing its damage,
and it helps prevent blood clots by keeping blood platelets from clumping
together. Pomegranates may also help reduce the risk of breast cancer and
lessen the symptoms of arthritis.
Bible Food #6 - Olive Oil
Olives, and the extra-virgin oil that is
made from a single pressing of the fruit, contain many of the antioxidants that
are thought to protect against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol compounds. They
also are high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which are called "the healing
fats" because they lower the effects of "bad" cholesterol while raising "good"
cholesterol levels. High in vitamin E, olive oil also is thought to protect
against colon cancer, and it is helpful in fighting gastritis and other stomach
ailments.
Bible Food #7 - Honey
Raw honey, in addition to being a natural
sweetener, is replete with antioxidants and is considered to be an anti-viral,
anti-bacterial, anti-fungal substance. It is thought to have tumor-fighting
properties, and may help prevent colon cancer. The daily consumption of a
spoonful of honey is said to increase antioxidant levels in the blood, and is
the healthiest sweetener for type-2 diabetics. Honey also may have
wound-healing and muscle-regenerating properties. |
