The latest nutrition research affirm that eating in moderation is the best method for having a strong memory and this is what the teachings of Islam taught us long decades ago. Let’s read…
A new Scientific News
A recent study affirms that eatingfewer calories means a better memory for this study says that reducing the amount of calories might help old people boost their memory. A recent scientific study has found that eatingfewer calories is extremely significant to boost man’s memory especially old people.
Researchers at the University of Munster in Germany has found that the participants in the study of both genders who followed a low calorie diet exhibited the best performance in verbal memory tests as compared to others who didn’t follow the same diet.
Veronica Witt along with the research team of the university said that the results were the first scientific evidence to show that eatingfewer calories helps boost the memory of adult. A previous study which was conducted on animals had also shown that following a low calorie diet as well as another diet that’s rich in “healthy” fats protects the brain form the symptoms of aging.
The study which lasted for three months included 50 overweight men and women whose average age is around 60 years old. The participants were divided into three groups:
The first group was restricted to 30% calorie diet.
The second group’s diet depended on more unsaturated fatty acids such as olive oil and certain types of fish.
The third group didn’t follow any particular diet and was referred to as the “control” group.
Three months later, the first group exhibited an obvious improvement in verbal memory test as well as the ability to recall words unlike the second and third groups whose participantsshowed no memory improvement what so ever.
Researchers say that the current results might help develop new preventive strategies and treatments to protect the brain and memory health when getting old. This study follows another study according to which researchers have found that diets that depend on avoiding foods that are rich in carbohydrates might result in depriving the brain from the required energy to perform its tasks properly.
The study that included women between 22- 55 years old has shown that women who followed a diet that’s low in foods that are rich in carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, and macaroni suffered from weakness in their memory just one week after following such diet.
What does this diet mean to us as Muslims?
We can conclude from this study as well as other studies conducted by nutritionists that eating in moderation is the best method for exaggeration of starvation weakens the memory, but at the same time overeating also weakens the memory, so what’s the solution?
Listen to the following Qur’anic verse that specifies the right diet for Allah, The Almighty commands us to enjoy the foods and beverages He granted us provided that we don’t waste or eat huge quantities of food; Allah says in the holy Qur’an:
“O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: but waste not by excess, for God loveth not the wasters.” A’raf: 7: 31
As for those who follow a severe diet and starve preventing themselves from moderate diets, scientists assert that such diets have serious consequences such as low immunity, weak memory, and psychological disorders. Allah, therefore, says in the holy Qur’an:
“Say: Who hath forbidden the beautiful (gifts) of God, which He hath produced for His servants, and the things, clean and pure, (Which He hath provided) for sustenance? Say: they are, in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) purely for them on the Day of Judgment. Thus do We explain the signs in detail for those who understand.” A’raf: 7: 32
The verse that follows is:
“Say: the things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: shameful deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to God, for which He hath given no authority; and saying things about God of which ye have no knowledge.” A’raf: 7:33
Dear brothers and sisters, let’s contemplate this balanced and moderate system which Islam came with 14 centuries ago. When man commits shameful deeds, disbelieves in God, and announces shameful deeds, it’s considered the worst kind of excessiveness and exaggeration. If we have a look at the average of violence, suicide, crimes, rape, etc. we’ll notice that such average is very high in pornographic communities. Islam, therefore, commands us to be moderate and balanced in every aspect of our life including food, drinks, dealings, and relationships, and morals. Allah prohibits adultery but permits marriage; prohibits interest and usury but permits trade; prohibits waste and extravagancein eating as well as in anything else but permits moderation and balance and Islam therefore is a balance. Allah, The Exalted says in the holy Qur’an:
“Thus have We made of you an Ummat justly balanced, that ye might be witnesses over the nations, and the Apostle a witness over yourselves; and We appointed the Qibla to which thou wast used, only to test those who followed the Apostle from those who would turn on their heels (from the Faith). Indeed it was (a change) momentous, except to those guided by God. and never would God make your faith of no effect. For God is to all people most surely full of kindness, most Merciful.” Baqara : 2:143
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By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel
References:
http://arabic.cnn.com/2009/scitech/1/31/calories.memory/index.html
