Amal Al-Sibai Saudi Gazette Let good, wholesome food be your medicine, otherwise medicine will be your food - that is what Hippocrates, the father of medicine, said. When used as a luxury and pleasure, excess food is harmful to health. When we make the right choices and in the right amounts, food can be a source of boundless energy and nourishment, and also the best mode of prevention against disease. A great way to stay healthy is to take charge of your own health. Read a lot, listen to lectures by the experts in nutrition, exercise, learn healthy cooking techniques, take advantage of complementary medicine such as aromatherapy and massage, and go back to the traditional wisdom of the sages and prophets. The closer your food is to its natural state, the better it is for your body. A fresh apple is healthier than a glass of apple juice. The simple, basic foods that were the Prophet's favorite foods are rich in several vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that have amazing healing properties. Dates Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to eat seven dates every morning and he soaked dates in water overnight and drank the water the next morning. He recommended eating all dates in general and in particular, the black ‘ajwah' dates sowed in Madinah. In an authentic Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “As for a house that has no dates, truly those who live in it will go hungry.” Dates are highly nutritious. A handful of dates can suffice as a complete breakfast, especially during rushed mornings and will supply almost all the nutrients that young school children need to start their busy day. Dates are a good source of simple sugars, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin A, the B vitamins, and folic acid. Dates are rich in fiber, thus preventing constipation and hemorrhoids, lowering blood cholesterol and protecting against colon cancer. Some amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, are also found in dates, as well as beneficial enzymes. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prescribed dates for women during pregnancy and labor to ease childbirth. Scientific studies found that ripe dates contain a compound that resembles oxytocin, which is a natural hormone secreted by the body to encourage uterine contractions at the time of delivery. Grapes It is well known that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) loved eating grapes and raisins. The earliest Muslim physicians such as Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim and Imam Dhahabi emphasized the benefits of eating grapes and raisins in boosting one's memory. Grapes contain flavonoids which are anti-oxidants that help bolster immunity and ward off diseases. Ellagic acid found in grapes, raspberries, and strawberries has been shown to help prevent cancer. Resveratrol found in red grapes has been proven to lower bad LDL cholesterol, increase good HDL cholesterol, and prevent clogging of the arteries; thus lowering the risk for heart disease. Figs They were not grown in the Arabian peninsula at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), but once the Prophet (peace be upon him) was once offered a plate of figs, and he ate from it and asked his companions to eat. Abu Dardaa narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “If you are going to say that any fruit has descended from Paradise, then truly you should mention the fig, for it is indeed the fruit of Paradise.” Figs are sweet and they give the body a quick energy boost. Due to their fiber and enzymes content, figs are excellent for the digestive system; preventing and treating constipation, hemorrhoids, and ulcers of the intestines and stomach. Pumpkin Pumpkin was one of the favorite foods of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). and on several occasions he expressed his fondness for pumpkin. Pumpkins, among the family of vegetables with a deep orange color, are rich in carotenoids. Foods rich in carotenoids have been linked to decreased risk of cancers of the lung, colon, bladder, cervix, breast, and skin, and lower rates of heart disease, cataracts, and macular degeneration; with a notable increase in immunity and mental functioning. Milk The close companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) relate that he used to love milk. The following Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was mentioned in the books of Abu Dawood and Al-Tirmidhi: “Let whoever is given milk (by Allah) say, ‘May the blessing of Allah be in it, and may He give us more of it', for I know that there is no other food or drink that can take its place.” Milk is so nutritious and filling that some dieticians today label it as a food, not a drink. It contains proteins, fats, sugars, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and B vitamins. Children, adolescents, and pregnant and breastfeeding women need milk most, and it should be used in moderation by average adults. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught his companions to avoid milk during a headache or fever. Honey Mentioned in the Holy Quran as a remedy and cure for diseases, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) loved honey. We could gain many health benefits by including honey in our diet. Honey has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal effects. To guarantee good health, follow the practice of Prophet (peace be upon him) to drink a spoonful of honey dissolved in a cup of water every morning. This natural remedy tones the kidneys, detoxifies the liver, eases pain and inflammation, treats hypertension, allergies, stomach ulcers, intestinal disorders, and sore throat, and soothes coughs. The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said, “You have two medicines: honey and the Quran,” as transmitted by Ibn Maja. Olive oil Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Eat olive oil and use it as ointment as it comes from a blessed tree.” – Ibn Majah and Bayhaqi. The Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companion, Uman ibn Al-Khattab were often seen eating bread and dipping the bread in olive oil for dinner. When used externally, olive oil is a good moisturizer for dry and chapped skin, it makes the hair shiny and softer, and it can ease stomach pain and muscle soreness. From a nutritional standpoint, of all the oils, olive oil is the healthiest. The monounsaturated oils found in olive oil have been linked to decreased heart disease as they reduce blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. Studies indicate that regular consumption of olive oil boosts immunity and reduces the incidence of cancer.
