Discovering the Health and Spiritual Benefits of Sunnah Superfoods for a Balanced Life” True well-being is a journey, not a destination, and it requires tending to both our physical and non-physical needs. By nourishing the body and soul, we cultivate the resilience and sense of fulfillment necessary to navigate life’s complexities.
Nourishing the Body:
- Fueling with wholesome foods: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein provides the essential nutrients our bodies need to thrive. This not only supports physical health but also contributes to mental clarity and energy levels.
- Moving your body: Regular exercise strengthens our bodies, improves cardiovascular health, and releases endorphins, natural mood enhancers. Find activities you enjoy, whether it’s brisk walking, dancing, or team sports.
- Prioritizing sleep: Adequate sleep allows our bodies and minds to recharge. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to wake up feeling refreshed and energized.
Contents
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Three Most Morbidly Dangerous Life Conditions and the Treatment Methodologies for Them
- Superfoods and their Health benefits
- Dates (Phoenix dactylifera)
- Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
- Grapes (Vitis vinifera)
- (Ficus carica)
- Olives (Olea europaea)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Conclusion
- References
health benefits: Prophet Muhammad The Recommended Superfoods
Abstract
Foods and the bioactive substances found in certain foods of the balanced diet play an essential part in maintaining and promoting human health. Plants are abundant sources of balanced nutrition due to their high levels of bioactive ingredients; thus, most of them are now considered part of superfoods.
They have been utilized from the beginning of time for the treatment of various illnesses, and traditional treatments remain among the most affordable and readily accessible treatments within the primary care healthcare system. The science-based application of these superfoods goes back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad and other ancient uses of plant substances.
The prescription of a variety of natural foods like dates, olives, pomegranates and pomegranates grapes, figs, and seeds of black was recommended by the Prophet Muhammad. They have recently become superfoods because of their healing properties.
They are beneficial dietary treatments to prevent disease and maintain your health. Utilizing these foods as natural ingredients with fewer side effects is superior to chemical treatments, which are usually difficult to understand.
The current review aims to give a quick overview of the literature regarding the scientifically-based importance of these superfoods uncovered by various researchers and explore a broad spectrum of their pharmacological effects that include antidiabetic and anticancer properties, as well as immune modulator analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective capabilities.
Introduction
Many different flora on the earth have potent medicinal properties to treat or treat various human diseases. Many of them are classified as superfoods due to their large and varied content of many bioactive substances that provide a wealth of health benefits.
Superfoods comprise a group of highly potent, super concentrated, and nutritionally rich foods that contain a wide range of synergetic ingredients in their original state, that work in harmony with our bodies. Besides being delicious, superfoods can significantly boost your body’s vitality and energy. They’re the best option for improving overall health. [1,2]
Alongside providing nutrition to the body and supplying energy to the body, food has played an essential part in treating different diseases since the beginning of time, which is why food is our best bet for a natural and safe option in the current. There is an extended history of using plant-based food products to treat human diseases.
They’ve been in use since the time of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be with His Name). He advised the use of nutritious foods which can counteract the harmful effects of certain substances that have been shown to cause harm.
He recommended specific foods like dates, olives, figs, olives, black seeds, pomegranates, grapes, and many more to treat various ailments. His food recommendations are impressive for their prescientity because they were made centuries before any research was conducted on healthy eating habits and their advantages to our bodies. [3,4]
There have been tremendous advancements made in allopathic medical treatments that are sometimes proven to have significant impacts on human beings. In recent times, treatments have focused on creating innovative curative strategies with no adverse negative effects.
Sunnah (prophetic traditions) promotes the pre-date treatment with food for a long time and serves as the basis for the concepts of modern medicine. As per one of the prophets, Muhammad’s declarations, “The one who sent down the disease sent the cure, and for each illness, Almighty has given a cure.” People are advised to search for remedies and apply them with care and compassion.
The recommended food items of Prophet Muhammad are now popular superfoods due to their healing properties that we are now recognizing. The practice is still being used in the present; however, our understanding of the active components of these plants and their components that are a potent source of phytochemical and therapeutic effects is not well comprehended.
There aren’t any scientific studies, and although a wealth of phytomedicines like diabetes, cancers, and hypertension caused by obesity, diabetes, and other incurable illnesses are increasing. There is a need to reexamine the long-standing prescriptions for superfood-derived medicines for their current research and application.
This review examines the therapeutic possibilities of the Prophet Muhammad’s suggested plant-based superfoods and their constituents against many chronic human diseases.
The most common life-threatening diseases and the Treatment Methodologies for them
Cancer is the leading cause of death across the globe. Cancer development begins through an uncontrolled expansion of cells, leading to the formation of primary tumors, vascularization, and the subsequent spread to other body organs where secondary tumors can grow.
The most frequent types of cancers which cause mortality in the general population are liver, lung, and stomach, as well as breast and colon. Numerous treatments are currently being developed or tested to cure these kinds of cancers. They generally fall into five groups: radiation and surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal therapy.
In addition to the various treatment options, chemotherapy is one of the most effective methods for fighting cancer. The principal goal of the best chemotherapy for cancer is to deliver the precise amount of medication at the desired speed and for a long enough time frame to the area of action, thus preventing normal cells from receiving an effective response.
There are a few issues associated with these procedures, including severe adverse effects, frequent treatments, high risks for patients, and the development of multidrug-resistant cancer cells.
The other serious illness is diabetes. The incidence of diabetes, particularly of the type 2 variety, is gradually increasing due to our work-related lifestyles and the increase in weight gain. It’s estimated that around 171 million people in the world had diabetes in 2000.
This will increase gradually to the number of 366 million in 2030. This will result in a high morbidity rate and a huge cost to the economy. The pathophysiology of the type 2 diabetes is incredibly rapid, and the causes are identified by a decrease in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in the function of cells. The loss of insulin function causes persistent hyperglycemia and severe Glycemic fluctuations.
The type 2 form of diabetes is typically controlled with medical therapy and a progressive method, which may include lifestyle changes as well as the use of oral antidiabetic medication (OADs) and the use of insulin. The treatment is only effective in a few instances because OADs can also cause negative consequences.
The adverse effects of OADs are not initiated until too late and expose the patient to damaging levels of excessive glucose. The treatment of insulin is often coupled with weight growth.
The traditional method of vial and syringe insulin administration is associated in specific instances with the fear of needles, lack of convenience, difficulty in precise dosage, and, ultimately, lower adherence to the treatment.
Obesity can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. The multi-faceted nature of obesity is the condition that results from the interaction between the genotype and the environment.
It’s a result of integrating various factors, including cultural, social, metabolic, and genetic aspects. One of the diverse approaches to the treatment of obesity includes pharmacotherapy, behavior therapy, as well as weight reduction surgery. In pharmacotherapy, the FDA suggested that weight loss medications be prescribed.
However, their long-term use can cause a variety of adverse negative effects. Weight loss surgery is a significant method of weight loss; however, medical surveillance is necessary. Patients may also experience gallstones that are incisionally cut or dumping syndromes, as well as consequent weight loss failure. [23,24]
Traditional medicine has been utilized to treat these ailments. They are less expensive, align with the patient’s beliefs, shield from synthetic medications’ harmful consequences, provide more personalized health care, and permit a more accessible way to become healthy and well-informed.
The primary use of herbal remedies is to prevent health problems and treat chronic illnesses. However, the benefits of traditional medicine are in high demand when conventional treatments are ineffective against a specific disease, for instance, when cancer is advanced or an infection is causing a new disease.
Additionally, traditional medicines are generally considered safe and natural with no toxicological consequences. Recently, traditional foods referred to as “superfoods” have been hailed for their bioactive substances.
Numerous studies suggest that traditional foods, such as dates, black seeds, pomegranates, olives, and figs, have crucial roles in inhibiting or treating diseases. The visual representations of these superfoods can be seen in Figure 1. The structure of the connections between superfoods, as well as their health-related potential, can be seen in Table 1, and their specific nature is discussed in the next section.
Superfoods are beneficial to health.
Superfoods and their Health Benefits
The Dates ( Phoenix dactylifera)
Dates are a staple food staple of the Middle East and very popular in Islamic countries. Dates were considered the most sought-after food choice of the Prophet Muhammad, who proclaimed, “If anyone is fasting and wants to break his fast by eating dates.
If he doesn’t possess them, then replace them with water.”[28,29The health benefits, as well as its nutritional benefits, are all over the globe due to the abundance of prominent nutrients and their benefits for health. Date palm (P. dactylifera.) can be described as a multi-purpose tree that supplies carbohydrates, fiber, minerals, vitamins, and extraordinary medicinal properties. [28,30,31] A few of the medicinal properties of dactylifera are listed.
Cancer
Dates containing polyphenols were shown to be anticancers, according to a study by Eid and Co. (2014). [32The researchers were extracting polyphenols from Ajwa dates and observed the inhibitory effects on the Caco-2 colon cancer-related cells in the laboratory.
The findings of Khan and colleagues. [33] also demonstrated the anticancer benefits of adrenergic dates on human breast cancer adenocarcinoma (MCF7) cells in the laboratory. Therefore, we can conclude that MEAD can be used as an adjuvant therapy in conjunction with traditional chemotherapeutics to create an effect synergistically against breast cancer. Another component, such as carbohydrate (1-3)-b-D glucan isolated from Lebanon dates, has also been found to exert the same effects on sarcoma-180 mice. [34]
Hepatopathy
If the organ is injured, the person is affected by hepatic disorders, followed by impaired liver function. The main cause of liver failure is poisoning by chemical substances that are administered or produced through medicines or drugs. Many studies confirm dates’ beneficial effects in reducing hepatorenal toxicity. Proanthocyanidin-rich dates can be used to treat or prevent toxic actions of different substances, such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), thioacetamide (TAA), and dimethoate poisoning in the liver. [35,36]
Diabetes
It has been proven that eating lower glycemic index (GI) diets is beneficial in managing diabetes. Dates are regarded as a low GI superfood because they contain high fructose. This is because fructose is sweeter and less prone to diabetes than glucose. [37,38] Hasan and Moheildin[39] evaluated the antidiabetic activity of two kinds of seed extracts (Ajwa and Sukkari of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Long-term administration of this extract helps restore the kidneys and liver functions and regulates oxidative stress in diabetic-treated rodents.
Pregnancy and birth in a healthy way
For women who are pregnant or postnatal, dating is especially relevant. Consuming dates by women prior to and after birth can serve as a tonic that helps increase the strength of the uterine muscles. [40] Al-Kuran et al. (41) concluded that consumption of dates in the past four weeks before labor drastically reduced the necessity for labor induction and expansion and resulted in the most favorable delivery result. Therefore, dates are a tiny superfood with high iron content, fiber content trace elements, and antioxidants, as well as a significant energy source and a low GI, an ideal choice for our health-conscious age.
Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
Pomegranate (P. granatum) is utilized as a tasty fruit-bearing plant is the main member of two species in the family of Punicaceae. 42 Pomegranate is widely used as jam, juice, or extracts. 44 Pomegranate has been utilized for a long time to treat various illnesses. [45]
Cancer
There is evidence that suggests that pomegranate stimulates many proteins and genes to inhibit the growth of cancer as well as its progress. It is typically due to its high concentration of polyphenols. Furthermore, polyphenols in the pomegranate, such as punicalagin and the ellagic acid, are known to have anti-inflammatory effects, thereby reducing the effects on mutagens (i.e., sodium azide and benzo[a]pyrene 2-aminoflourine and methyl methanesulfonate) which have the highest inhibition of mutagenicity as high as 90 percent. Pomegranate extract has also been found to play a chemopreventive function on colon, breast, skin, hepatic, and blood cancers.
Memory problems
Polyphenols plentifully found in pomegranate fruit sap may have neuroprotective properties. They aid in enhancing our memory function by increasing the importance of elements that stimulate the brain, as reported by West and colleagues. Additional studies conducted on mice have suggested that it could help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. [51]
Diabetes
The consumption of concentrated pomegranate fruit juice with a healthy diet can lower the total (or low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels in patients with type II diabetes who suffer from hyperlipidemia. The accumulation of glycation’s end-product that leads to complications with diabetes is reduced by pomegranate extract and its polyphenols, such as punicalin, punicalagin gallic acid, and ellagic acid.
Hypertension and heart ailment
Pomegranate is distinguished by large levels of phytochemicals that are biologically active, such as flavonoids (e.g., anthocyanins and catechins, as well as quercetin and rutin) as well as other kinds of polyphenols as well as ellagitannins as well as an antioxidant vitamin. [55] Juice consumption of pomegranate reduces systolic blood pressure and inhibits serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity. These hypotensive qualities of pomegranate juice can be explained by the potential antioxidant properties of the phytochemicals in it, making it a potent superfruit of the present. The polyphenols in pomegranate can block LDL oxidation, macrophage cell growth, and atherosclerosis. [57]
Grapes (Vitis vinifera)
A grape, commonly used as a berry for fruiting in deciduous vines, is part of the botanical species Vitis. The majority of grapes originate from varieties of. Vinifera is a European grapevine that is native to the Mediterranean as well as Central Asia. The Prophet Muhammad was a massive fan of grapes. Grape-derived phytochemicals can be utilized to treat various ailments.
Heart disease
Many varieties of polyphenol compounds are found in grapes, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and resveratrol. The most concentrated concentrations of grape polyphenols can be found in the stems, skin, and seeds. The evidence from diverse epidemiological studies suggests that eating a diet rich in these compounds can reduce the mortality rate of cardiovascular diseases. Most studies in the laboratory and on humans and animals show the positive results of grape polyphenols in relation to traditional cardiovascular risk factors. [62,63]
Cancer
Over the past ten years, several preclinical studies have been conducted within the vivo animal models as well as In vitro techniques, which have demonstrated the benefits of grape seed extract as well as its active ingredients (proanthocyanidins) against the skin [64prostate, breast, [66] neck and head, [67,68] and lung cancers. Recently, Mao et al. They have speculated that procyanidin extracted from grapes has antineoplastic properties through the modulation of oncomirs (micro RNA associated with malignant transformation and carcinogenesis) and their downstream target.
Hypertension and hyperglycemia
Aqueous extracts from grape leaves, as well as grape seeds that contained proanthocyanidins, demonstrated an antihyperglycemic as well as antioxidant effect. Consuming grapes or preparations of grapes could help people suffering from abnormal insulin responses to glucose. [72]
Grapes are a great source of flavonoids. Research by Dohadwala and Vita[73] concluded that drinking grapes and grape-containing products could decrease blood pressure. Grape flavonoids can positively affect the function of endothelial cells and inflammation, which may decrease the stiffness of the arterial walls and reduce blood pressure. There has been an increase in blood pressure evident through drinking grape juice. [74]
Black seeds (Nigella sativa)
The black seed (N. the sativa) is also known as Kalonji or black cumin. It is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, indigenous to South and Southwest Asia. It is a popular medicinal plant across the globe. It is widely used in traditional remedies like Unani and Tibb, Ayurveda, and Siddha. [75,76] the black seeds mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad said, ” The black seeds can cure all diseases and even death“.
Diabetes
Thymoquinone is found in N. Sativa, and it has been demonstrated that it possesses the capacity to enhance enzyme activity in the liver and consequently has potential antihyperglycemic effects. The studies of Kanter and co. [78] Also, the benefits of the volatile oils of N. Sativa seeds on insulin immune response and changes in the ultrastructure of pancreatic b-cells induced by streptozocin in diabetic rats have been demonstrated. Effects of N. Sativa on patients who have Type 2 Diabetes were examined by Bamosa et al. Results of the research show that a dosage of 2 grams per day of N. sativa could be highly effective in conjunction with oral hypoglycemic agents for patients who have Type 2 Diabetes. The combination of carnitine, lipoic acid, and N. sativa could contribute to the increase in the metabolism of carbohydrates for diabetic rodents. [80]
Cancer
It was discovered that the crude oil from N. Sativa is chemopreventive to fight cancer cells. The administration of 1000 mg or 4000 mg/L of N. sativa volatile oil into men’s diet Wister rats over 30 weeks greatly reduced benign and malignant colon tumors, their incidences, and multiplicities. The different extracts from N. Sativa demonstrated cytotoxic effects on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines. Studies by Mahmoud and the Torchilin group showed that the lipid extract N. sativa can be cytotoxic to MCF-7 cells. It has an LC50 at 2.720 + 0.232 mg/ml. However, its water extract demonstrated cytotoxicity when the concentration was higher than 50 mg/ml.
Hyperpigmentary conditions
The members of our group have presented exciting findings[83in the hyperpigmentary activities of N. sativa. They discovered how the extract from N. sativa and its active ingredient, thymoquinone, causes skin darkening by stimulating the muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the skin cells of black as well as the melanophores of the wall lizards, Hemydactylus flaviridis. The findings of this fascinating study have opened up new possibilities for the application of N. Sativa and the active component, which is thymoquinone as a melanogen with a unique structure for its application in treating skin conditions like hypopigmentation and vitiligo. It’s important to mention that at present, black seeds are taking on the status of superfoods, inexpensive and brimming with powerful healing properties.
Fig (Ficus carica)
F. carica is a member of the Moraceae family and is also called “Fig” (Anjir in Hindi), and the source of its species is the Middle East and Western Asia. Plant parts like leaves, seeds, tender fruits, bark shoots, and latex have many therapeutic uses. [84]
Cancer
A mixture of 6-O-acyl-b-sitosterols was isolated as an effective cytotoxic agent from F. caricalatex. The mixture demonstrated an in-vitro inhibition of the proliferative capacity of different cancer cell types. The triterpenoid compounds of the type Tirucallane known as ficutirucins were extracted from F. carica, and their activities as cytotoxic agents in human cell types of cancer MCF-7, HepG-2, and U2OS were investigated. The results revealed that all three showed moderate cytotoxic activity against any of the cancer cells of the three. [87The results showed that Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is among the most deadly human malignancies. Tezcan and Co. [88] examined the hypothesis that F. carica latex inhibits invasion by stimulating the expression of let-7d within GBM cell lines.
Diabetes
The leaf extract from F. carica induced a significant hypoglycemic effect in oral or intraperitoneal administration in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Weight loss was accelerated in diabetic rats, and plasma insulin levels significantly altered the survival index. The findings indicated that extracting water from F. carica shows an explicit hypoglycemic action. It was also discovered that F. carica extract probably normalized the oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. [90] The effect of ficusin obtained from F. carica GLUT4 translocation and the expression of PPARg in diabetics with type 2 diabetes was investigated, and ficusin displayed antidiabetic properties. [91]
Hyperpigmentary and Hypolipidemic
Hypotriglyceridemic activities of F. carica leaves in hypertriglyceridemic rats have been thoroughly studied by Perez and co. [92] Ficusin extracted from F. carica significantly reduced antioxidant enzymes in the serum and cholesterol (total cholesterol, TC, triglycerides, and free fatty acids) levels to levels that were close to normal. The extract from the leaves of F. carica might be a valuable supplement that can modulate TG as well as TC secretion in the poultry liver. A rooster’s liver that was eight weeks old and high in abdominal fat was removed, and the cells were sliced. They were then cultured using an extremely high amount of F. carica leaf extracts and insulin or both. In addition, insulin stimulation increases TG and TC secretion, and the amount was greater than the control. However, there was a notable decrease in TG as well as TC secretion after co-incubation with extracts of leaves. [93]
Matei and Ali[94] from our lab have demonstrated the skin-darkening results of F. carica leaf extract and its bioactive compound psoralen reptile melanophores by stimulating cholinergic receptors. Hence, F. carica is a viable alternative to treat hypopigmentary conditions.
Olives (Olea europaea)
Olive, O. Europaea, which means “European olive,” is a genus of small trees within the family of Oleaceae. The extensive usage of olive oil and leaves is mentioned throughout the Holy Bible as a natural healer. Prophet Muhammad stated, ” Eat olive oil and apply it to your body since it’s a holy (Mubarak) plant“. He also mentioned that olive oil can cure 70 illnesses.
Cancer
Oleic acid, found in olives, was extremely beneficial against colon, breast, and prostate cancerous cells. Olives’ consumption can halt the growth of cells by more than 25 percent, 15%, and 10 percent of breast, colon, and prostate cancers, respectively. [95The study found that oncology researchers have proposed that oleic acid could fight cancer by interfering with the human genome. They’ve discovered that oleic acids suppress the overexpression of oncogenes and, ultimately, reduce the metastasis of various cancers. [96,97]
Rheumatoid arthritis
Consuming more olive oil has been associated with a reduced likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis, the autoimmune disorder that is which is characterized by pain and inflammation, particularly in joints. A clinical trial of olive oil was conducted. In the end, patients with rheumatoid arthritis who followed a diet supplemented with fish oil and olive oil showed more significant improvement than those who supplemented their diets with fish oil by themselves in tests of clinical signs of the condition. These results suggest that olive oil may help prevent rheumatoid joint disease and can help restore mobility and function to patients already afflicted by the condition.
Analgesics and anti-inflammatory
Oleocanthal discovered in olive oil can be described as an in vitro cyclooxygenase inhibitor with anti-inflammatory and analgesic characteristics similar to the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication ibuprofen. Oleocanthal could provide unique safeguards against the disease Alzheimer’s. A study in the lab found the fact that oleocanthal modifies the neurotoxic protein’s structure, which could be responsible for the devastating effects associated with Alzheimer’s. Donato-Trancoso’s (2016)[101] research showed that because of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics of olive oil, it can enhance the healing of cutaneous pressure ulcers in mice.
Diabetes
Several studies have revealed that the oleuropein found within olive leaves (up to 6 to 9% of the dry matter present) is a potent source of health-promoting and pharmacologic properties. In this regard, oleuropein enhances glucose metabolism and is believed to possess an antihyperglycemic impact on diabetic animals. [103]
Conclusion
For centuries, natural ingredients such as diet components, herbs, and spices have been used to prevent the development of various illnesses. There is an increased interest in phytochemicals from natural sources as promising options to develop more effective chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive strategies to treat a range of chronic illnesses.
The current communication focuses on the effectiveness of certain plants against various illnesses, which was previously recommended, trying to protect the fading knowledge that could be used to analyze these superfoods’ phytochemical and pharmacological properties without any harmful side consequences.
This is why the understanding of the evolution of theories regarding the use of superfoods as potent remedies, the active components that are involved in treating a particular illness, as well as the method by which they function to treat the disease is crucial since it can improve the capacity of the modern physician and pharmacist to address the severe problems that are becoming apparent with the spread of terrible and incurable illnesses.
Categories: PRAYER (Salat), ALMS (Zakat), SAWN (Fasting) HAJJ (Pilgrimage) & DUA (Supplications), Hadith and Tafseer, The Holy Quran, Quran Jaz 1- 114
Topics: Ushr and Zakat, Hijab, Arabic Corner, Faith, Islamic History, Biography, Sirat ul Nabi PBUH, Islamic Studies, Halal & Haram
