Food and Emotions

It was finally clarified that the type of food affects the emotional status of the human being and some processed types may cause diseases. …

In the modern era, the scientists start to invent new techniques of food processing, and the food styles the people follow had changed. The scientists had not realized that such new styles would harm people as the percentage of physical and psychological diseases had increased because of processed foods.

But if we revert to the Holy Quran, we will find the divine order for people to eat the lawful foods which Allah, the Almighty Had created for them. He says: “O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh – Islâmic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that we have provided you with, and be grateful to Allâh, if it is indeed He Whom you worship” (172: Al Baqara). Therefore, the scientists confirm that the best type of food is what we find ready in the nature before the human hand poison it!

A study, conducted by a research team at College London, had concluded the possibility of having relationship between depression and consumption of processed foods as people who consume larger amounts of vegetables, fruits and fish are less exposed to depression.

The team who conducted the research says that this is the first time the relationship between depression and diet is being watched in Britain. The data of the diet of 3500 persons at the middle age were studied and then compared with the cases of depression after five years as published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. The people participated in the study were classified into two groups: first group’s diet depends on vegetables, fruits and fish, and the second group’s diet depends on processed and fatty foods.

It was verified through this study that the percentage of depression in people who had larger amounts of natural foods is 26% less than people who had processed foods like Mortadella, Hamburgers and Junk foods, on the other hand, the percentage of depression among people consuming larger amounts of processed foods is 58% higher than people who consumed less amounts of these foods.

The scientists says that there is a research which concluded that people following the Mediterranean diet are less exposed to depression, also there are many researches that connect between the type of diet and the diseases of the humans.

Do not eat processed and junk foods! This is the newest advice given to you by the Nutritionists. Studies verified that canned meat products and foods containing preservatives and ready to eat meals (like Hamburgers, etc) have harmful effects on the person’s emotional status, so if you want to enjoy emotional stability and quietness, have physical health and live longer you have to stay away from these foods.

A MESSAGE TO THE MUSLIM DOCTORS…

Dear beloved in Allah! The non-Muslim scientists do not have a solid base to refer to in their experiments, therefore, you find that theories change and develop from time to time. But what distinguish us as Muslims is that we have a Holy Book which has clarification for everything and Allah, the Almighty, had explained to us many things that are connected to our physical and emotional health.

Many scientific studies had confirmed that the best types of foods are the foods that Allah Had created in this nature, especially fruits, cereals and meat, the scientists say that the person who concentrate on fruits in his diet is more capable of handling emotional stress and more calm, therefore some researchers suggest larger intake of fruits as a remedy for stress management! So, we have to thank Allah for His great blessings as He said: “And the earth: He has put down (laid) for the creatures* Therein are fruits and date-palms producing sheathed fruit-stalks (enclosing dates)* And also corn, with (its) leaves and stalk for fodder, and sweet-scented plants* Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny?” (10-13 Al Rahman).

I would like to suggest to the Muslim scientists, why don’t you do such experiments to prove to the whole world the truth of this great religion:

1. Prove that the one who depends on the Islamic diet is healthier than others. This means to do experiments on Muslim people who do not eat pork and eat meat slaughtered by the Islamic way and on the other side do the same experiments on non Muslims who do not apply these rules.

2. Prove that the person who eat more dates, honey and olive oil, which are the main foods, mentioned in the Quran, is healthier than the average person who does not apply this food system. And that this food affects the emotional status making the person more stable.

3. Prove that the one who eats with his right hand and have Allah’s name mentioned on the food will be healthier than the one who do not mention Allah’s name or eat with his right hand.

As a Muslim, I believe that the foods mentioned in the Quran: olive, fig, dates, grapes, pomegranate, honey… all ensure you much emotional stability and make your immune system more resistant to diseases, especially Heart and cancer diseases. And the Quran emphasizes the importance of eating natural foods, therefore He, the Almighty says: “So eat of the lawful and good food which Allâh has provided for you. And be grateful for the Favour of Allâh, if it is He Whom you worship” (114: Al Nahl).

These are simple and available experiments but need some patience and specialty, and in deed, dear beloved brothers, that if we had a research center, we would hurry in applying thousands of Islamic experiments which are ignored by the western scientists, all of which are developed from Quran and Sunnah. We hope that such experiments will be a tool for showing the greatness of Islam religion, also showing the miracles of the Quran.

We ask Allah, the Almighty, to subject, to perform such work, those whom He loves and approves, He is the capable of responding to us, as He says: “We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur’ân) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things? (53-54: Fussilat).

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By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel

References:
1. www.bbc.co.uk
2. The British Journal of Psychiatry