Bible Health Guide
By Philip St. Vincent Brennan
Chapter Seven
Bible Healing Foods
Vegetables—the Bible's most important food group—are top sources of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Some contain large amounts of beta-carotene, the essential vitamins and minerals, and heart-healthy monounsaturated oils. Others are rich in fiber; still others complex carbohydrates, essential for proper functioning of he body's metabolic system and regulation of insulin production.
The cruciferous vegetables—broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower—are excellent sources of vitamin C, beta-carotene, indole, and monoterpene. Legumes (beans, lentils, peanuts, etc.) are complex carbohydrates; carrots and sweet potatoes are loaded with beta-carotene, and tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a known anticancer agent.
Here are the vegetables that contain the nutrients found in the biblical foods.
Beans
Complex carbohydrates help your body properly metabolize food and keep insulin production balanced to prevent diabetes, and stave off hunger pangs longer than most foods can. They are rich in soluble fibers. Soybeans and lima beans are rich in vitamin E; white and red beans, soybeans, and lima beans are rich in the B vitamins. Dried beans are powerful cholesterol fighters, capable of reducing cholesterol by a whopping 20 percent. This includes all the members of the bean family. Beans also increase levels of HDL (the good cholesterol), and lower LDL levels (the bad cholesterol).
Broccoli
This cruciferous vegetable is rich in beta-carotene and numerous other antioxidants, which makes it a powerful cancer fighter. It is known to have the ability to help prevent breast cancer because it removes estrogen from the system and can fight viruses and prevent ulcers. It is an excellent source of chromium.
Brussels Sprouts
Another cruciferous vegetable rich in cancer- and heart disease-fighting antioxidants.
Cabbage
Also a cruciferous vegetable, it contains indole, which inhibits breast cancer, and prevents the polyps that lead to colon cancer. Like broccoli, it removes estrogen, thus preventing breast cancer.
Carrots
Loaded with beta-carotene, carrots are strong allies in the fight against degenerative disease. Plus, they promote good eyesight. A study of over 87,000 people showed that those who ate five or more servings of carrots a week were 68 percent less likely to suffer strokes.
Kale
Rich in beta-carotene, calcium, copper, fiber, manganese, potassium, and vitamins C and B6. Thanks to this miracle member of the B-family, eating kale and other veggies rich in the nutrient can help relieve carpal tunnel syndrome, the repetitive motion disorder now widespread in the US.
According to studies conducted by Dr. Karl Folkers at the Institute for Biomedical Research at the University of Texas in Austin, people suffering form carpal tunnel syndrome recovered from the painful arm and wrist disorder in three months or less when given vitamin B6 supplements daily.
Cauliflower
A cruciferous vegetable, it is similar in effect to broccoli and cabbage.
Lentils
Loaded with the B-family of vitamins, these complex carbohydrates help fight heart disease, boost the immune system, help regulate the metabolism, and contains cancer-fighting substances.
Celery
Oriental medical studies show that celery helps lower high blood pressure, helps remove excess fluid from the system, and contains cancer-fighting substances.
Chili Peppers
They contain capsaicin, a painkiller, and have antiviral effects. They can help fight blood clots, clear the respiratory system of congestion, and prevent bronchitis and stomach ulcers.
Corn
Contains substances known to fight viruses and cancer.
Mushrooms
Studies show that Asian mushrooms help prevent cancer, flu, and viruses; can lower cholesterol, and prevent blood clots.
Onions
They contain adjoin, which prevents heart disease; are potent antioxidants that fight cancer; thin the blood thus preventing blood clots, and are a foe of respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis. They also have anti-inflammatory effects, and can fight infections.
Parsley
Rich in Antioxidants, parsley is natural diuretic.
Potatoes
They contain anticancer substances, and studies show that they may even prevent high blood pressure and strokes.
Red Bell Peppers
They contain carotene, potassium, and vitamin C.
Spinach
A potent antioxidant-bearing veggie, spinach is loaded with folic acid, which prevents osteoporosis and the conditions know to lead to cervical cancer. It is rich in beta-carotene and fiber, and lowers cholesterol.
Sweet Potatoes
Very rich in beta-carotene and fiber, sweet potatoes help prevent everything form heart disease and cancer to strokes and cataracts. They also lower cholesterol.
Tomatoes
As noted above, an excellent source of lycopene, and antioxidant. They contain significant amounts of potassium, as well as vitamins A and C, and they attack dangerous free radicals.
Bible Health Guide Table of Contents