All throughout the Bible, references are made to the medicinal properties of foods and herbs.
Representing health and longevity from Almighty God, the importance of diet and of preparing and eating food was oftentimes seen as a spiritual act.
If you want to consume some of the most
common foods mentioned for their health properties in the Bible, then
try these top 10 healing foods.
Whether you eat, drink or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31
Top 10 Bible Foods with Healing Properties
1. Olives and Olive Oil – Then
it shall come about when the Lord your God brings you into the land
which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you,
great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied. (Deuteronomy 6:10-11)
The Jews were the elite olive merchants
of their day. During antiquity, this precious commodity was used for its
healing capabilities, for cooking, to light lamps, for soaps, for
cosmetics and even for currency. Olive oil
was considered so sacred to ancient culture that it was even used to
anoint kings and priests. Hence, the Hebrew for Messiah, Moshiach,
meaning “anointed one!”
Research has been conducted that proves
regular consumption of olives and olive oil contributes to heart, brain
skin and joint health. They have even been linked to cancer and diabetes
prevention. Needless to say, this sacred foodstuff has lived up to its
ancient reputation!
2. Pomegranate – For the Lord
your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of
fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of
wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey. (Deuteronomy 8:7-8)
Tasty, messy and just recently gaining
ground in the American market these past few years, several research
studies have shown that pomegranates contain strong anti-inflammatory,
anti-oxidant, anti-obesity and anti-tumor properties. According to
researchers, “Many beneficial effects are related to the presence of
ellagic acid, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and flavones, which seem to be
its most therapeutically beneficial components.” Subsequently,
pomegranates are being considered valid treatment options for chronic
diseases such as cancer, insulin resistance, intestinal inflammation and
obesity.
3. Fermented Grapes – May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine. (Song of Solomon 1:2)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
has touted for years that regularly drinking a 4-oz glass of red wine
will lower your risk of developing heart disease. Nonetheless, because
of the inherent dangers in consuming too much alcohol, the Mayo Clinic
cautions drinking much more than this amount.
When grape juice is fermented, natural anti-oxidant and flavonoid properties are exemplified through a substance called resveratrol.
Consequently, researchers have focused much of their attention on
evaluating the health benefits of resveratrol in recent years, which has
been linked to chronic disease reversal including diabetes and obesity.
4. Flax – An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels… She looks for wool and flax. And works with her hands in delight. (Proverbs 31:10,13)
One of the most important plant fibers
in the Bible, flax has been used to make linen for as long as recorded
history. Although it has been widely replaced by cotton in recent years,
flax remains one of the most important fiber plants in the world.
Having a rich history of medicinal use
dating back to Babylon in 3000 BC, flax seed has been wholeheartedly
embraced by natural health and medical circles alike because it provides
a natural, vegan source of Omega-3 essential fatty acid, lignans, and
fiber. Subsequently, flax can help fight against cancer, diabetes and
heart disease.
5. Sprouted Grain Bread – Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. (Ezekiel 4:9).
In the Book of Ezekiel, God gave the
prophet Ezekiel a recipe for what has proven to be the perfect bread as
science has recently shown us that it creates the “complete protein,”
one that contains all essential amino acids. The main reason that
Ezekiel bread is healthier than other breads is because the grains and
legumes are soaked and sprouted which makes them easier to digest.
Harvesting “sprouted grains” happens
right after the seed has started to sprout, but before it has developed
into a full-grown plant. During this critical growth state, the young
shoot digests a portion of the starch to fuel its growth. Subsequently,
because the grain’s starch has been utilized, the level of vital
nutrients including proteins, vitamins, and minerals enhanced.
Additionally, research studies have suggested that iron and zinc
actually become more “bioavailable,” (i.e. more easily absorbed) after
sprouting.
6. Raw Milk – The lambs will be for your clothing and the goats will bring the price of a field. There will be goats’ milk enough for your food,for the food of your household,and sustenance for your maidens. (Proverbs 27:26-27)
Raw milk is filled with the vitamins and minerals
that contribute to a healthy dental fluid flow and help maintain strong
teeth. Loaded with calcium, vitamin K2, magnesium, phosphorus, and
fat-soluble vitamins researchers have carried out a comparative study on
the properties of cows’ milk compared to those of goats’ milk and have
discovered that goat’s milk may be even more beneficial.
Unlike cows’ milk, scientists from the
University of Granada has revealed that data concerning goats’ milk
suggests that it could prevent diseases such as anemia and bone
demineralization. Additionally, goats’ milk has properties that help
with the digestive and metabolic utilization of minerals such as iron,
calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
7. Lamb – Now you shall eat it [the unblemished lamb]
in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and
your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste—it is the Lord’s
Passover. (Exodus 12:11)
Due to the significance of the Passover
Lamb and equating that role to Christ, lambs are the most revered animal
in history, and the most honored food in the Bible. Lamb is the meat of
young sheep that are generally one year old or younger. Due to
slaughtering the animal at such a young age, the marble fat content is
considerably lower than older varieties of meat, which contributes to
heart health and helps prevent again obesity. Rich in protein, vitamin
B12, and minerals it is arguably the healthiest red meat on the planet.
On a side note, make sure to purchase
local, organic, grass-fed varieties when possible. Grain-fed animals are
loaded with genetically modified corn feed, countless additives and are
simply not worth the risk.
8. Bitter Herbs (coriander and parsley) – They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. (Exodus 12:8)
Scholars are not in complete agreement
which plants the authors of Bible were referring to when writing about
“bitter herbs,” but coriander and parsley generally make the list.
Coriander is the seed of the powerful
anti-oxidant and natural cleansing agent cilantro. Europeans refer to it
as the “anti-diabetic” because of its uncanny ability to regulate blood
sugar, and Indian folk medicine praise it for being an effective
anti-inflammatory.
Also used for chronic disease reversal,
parsley has been shown to normalize blood pressure, help prevent cancer
and offer joint pain relief due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It
is a rich source of several crucial vitamins including Vitamin A, B12, C
and K.
9. Vegetables – Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. (Daniel 1:12)
Instead of eating the tasty dainties of
the Babylonians, Daniel and his friends requested to live on a
vegetarian diet. When it was time for them to be presented to the king,
Nebuchadnezzar and all of the leaders were astounded to see that the 4
young Jewish friends were more fit and looked better than the other
young men who ate the Babylonian fare. Often referred to as the Daniel
“diet,” history and biblical text actually support that Daniel continued
his vegetarian lifestyle throughout his entire life.
Of all the food groups, vegetables are
arguably the most nutrient-dense and safest to eat. There’s relatively
no risk in consuming too many of them; whereas, if you eat fruit all
day, you run the risk of spiking your blood sugar or developing dental
caries because of the excess sugar.
Vegetables are so effective at healing that, according to the National Cancer Institute,
cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, radish etc.)
can help prevent cancer because they are rich in glucosinolates – a
large group of sulfur-containing glucosides. Known to break down during
chewing and digestion, these powerhouse chemicals can slow down and even
reverse cancer cells growth. Additionally, it has also been reported
that glucosinolates can treat the following health concerns:
- Inflammation
- Bacterial and viral infections
- Carcinogenic toxicity
- Tumor angiogenesis (blood vessel formation)
- Tumor metastasis (tumor migration)
10. Raw Honey – Have you found honey? Eat only what you need that you not have it in excess and vomit it. (Proverbs 25:16)
It’s no wonder raw honey
is referred to as “liquid gold.” The medicinal applications to the skin
and internal body seem limitless. First of all, raw honey is loaded
with key vitamins (B1 – B6 and C) and it contains several minerals
(calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc).
In addition to being a fantastic
replacement to energy drinks for athletes and people needing a little
boost, raw honey also contains a full spectrum of anti-oxidants and
supports the growth of probiotics in gastrointestinal tract including
(Bifidobacteria). Another fascinating quality of honey is its ability to
help prevent seasonal allergies. However, be sure to purchase the local
variety as it will contain indigenous pollen species unlike generic
store bought brands.
Who would have thought that you could
get nutritional advice in the Bible, huh? At the end of the day, if it
were good enough for people back then to eat, it’s probably good for us
today.
Dr. Josh Axe is on a mission to
provide you and your family with the highest quality nutrition tips and
healthy recipes in the world. Sign up to get VIP access to his eBooks
and valuable weekly health tips for FREE at his website where this article was culled from.
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