Ibn Khaldun's Low-Carb Observations (1332-1406)

unna · 01-12-2013, 12:12 AM

I'm currently reading some Arabic philosophy for a project I'm working on. I ran across this interesting piece of low-carb information about a "healthy diet" by Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406) in his discussion of "Food and Its Influence Upon Human Beings":

"It should be known that not all the temperate zones have an abundance of food, nor do all their inhabitants lead a comfortable life. In some parts, the inhabitants enjoy an abundance of grain, seasonings, wheat, and fruits, because the soil is well balanced and good for plants and there is an abundant civilization. And then, in other parts, the land is strewn with rocks, and no seeds or herbs grow at all. There, the inhabitants have a very hard time. Instances of such people are the inhabitants of the Hijaz and the Yemen, or the veiled Sinhajah who live in the desert of the Maghrib [...] All of them lack all grain and seasonings. Their nourishment and food is milk and meat.

[...]

In spite of this, the desert people who lack grain and seasonings are found to be healthier in body and better in character than the hill people who have plenty of everything. Their complexions are clearer, their bodies are cleaner, their figures more perfect and better, their characters less intemperate, and their minds keener as far as knowledge and perception are concerned [...]."

unna · 01-12-2013, 12:20 AM

The "seasonings" he refers to could include sugar or honey (I'm not sure).

Besides grains and wheat, he also names fruit as existing in the hill regions.

Then, he finds that the desert people who must live off of milk and meat are the healthiest in both mind and body.

Of course he doesn't really know why they are more healthy, but he does seem to think it has something to do with the fact that they are not able to eat grains, fruits, or seasonings.

Anyway, there are many historical texts that recognize low-carb eating as leading to a better figure, even though they couldn't explain why. Most explanations are: If a man eats the meat of a strong animal, he will also start to become strong like the animal. I suppose it is similar to the wisdom "You are what you eat".

girondet · 01-12-2013, 04:28 AM

Very interesting. Thanks for this.

clackley · 01-12-2013, 05:55 AM

Very interesting! It appears that we were suffering the effects of high carb long ago and if was being noticed.

Taxbane · 01-12-2013, 08:33 AM

Pretty cool stuff.

biancasteeplechase · 01-12-2013, 08:51 AM

Fascinating - thanks for posting it!

Phranquie · 01-12-2013, 08:54 AM

Good post. It is fascinating to find the benefits of LC eating go so far back.

rubidoux · 01-12-2013, 12:19 PM

So interesting! Thanks for sharing!

lowcarbella · 01-12-2013, 12:39 PM

amazing!!

MaryMary · 01-12-2013, 05:54 PM

Thank you for sharing this!

unna · 01-13-2013, 12:15 AM

I'm glad everyone enjoyed this - I know I found it interesting!

I'll make sure to share other interesting tidbits of information as I run across them.

thealything · 01-23-2013, 07:53 PM

this is awesome, thank you!

01-12-2013, 12:12 AM	#1
unna Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 153 Gallery: unna Stats: 230/155-160/tone WOE: Primal LCHF Start Date: January 2012	Ibn Khaldun's Low-Carb Observations (1332-1406) I'm currently reading some Arabic philosophy for a project I'm working on. I ran across this interesting piece of low-carb information about a "healthy diet" by Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406) in his discussion of "Food and Its Influence Upon Human Beings": "It should be known that not all the temperate zones have an abundance of food, nor do all their inhabitants lead a comfortable life. In some parts, the inhabitants enjoy an abundance of grain, seasonings, wheat, and fruits, because the soil is well balanced and good for plants and there is an abundant civilization. And then, in other parts, the land is strewn with rocks, and no seeds or herbs grow at all. There, the inhabitants have a very hard time. Instances of such people are the inhabitants of the Hijaz and the Yemen, or the veiled Sinhajah who live in the desert of the Maghrib [...] All of them lack all grain and seasonings. Their nourishment and food is milk and meat. [...] In spite of this, the desert people who lack grain and seasonings are found to be healthier in body and better in character than the hill people who have plenty of everything. Their complexions are clearer, their bodies are cleaner, their figures more perfect and better, their characters less intemperate, and their minds keener as far as knowledge and perception are concerned [...]."

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01-12-2013, 12:20 AM	#2
unna Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 153 Gallery: unna Stats: 230/155-160/tone WOE: Primal LCHF Start Date: January 2012	The "seasonings" he refers to could include sugar or honey (I'm not sure). Besides grains and wheat, he also names fruit as existing in the hill regions. Then, he finds that the desert people who must live off of milk and meat are the healthiest in both mind and body. Of course he doesn't really know why they are more healthy, but he does seem to think it has something to do with the fact that they are not able to eat grains, fruits, or seasonings. Anyway, there are many historical texts that recognize low-carb eating as leading to a better figure, even though they couldn't explain why. Most explanations are: If a man eats the meat of a strong animal, he will also start to become strong like the animal. I suppose it is similar to the wisdom "You are what you eat".

01-12-2013, 04:28 AM	#3
girondet Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern US Posts: 934 Gallery: girondet Stats: Maintaining 125-128, 5'5" WOE: Bernstein/paleo Start Date: May 2009	Very interesting. Thanks for this.

01-12-2013, 05:55 AM	#4
clackley Chatty Cathy Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 12,991 Gallery: clackley Stats: 228.5/169/125 WOE: N.K.=vlc/hf/moderate protein & organic/pastured Start Date: Restart Oct 18 2009	Very interesting! It appears that we were suffering the effects of high carb long ago and if was being noticed.

01-12-2013, 08:33 AM	#5
Taxbane Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Longwood, FL Posts: 791 Gallery: Taxbane Stats: LBS:215/171/160- - -BF%: 35+/20/11 WOE: 1650 kcals (55 NC/160P/88F) Str Train x2 Wk. Start Date: December 2010	Pretty cool stuff.

01-12-2013, 08:51 AM	#6
biancasteeplechase Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 207 Gallery: biancasteeplechase Stats: 224/189/??? WOE: Nutritional Ketosis Start Date: November 2012	Fascinating - thanks for posting it!

01-12-2013, 08:54 AM	#7
Phranquie Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 3,258 Gallery: Phranquie Stats: 325+/166/125/ (5'-3" & 52 yo) WOE: Moderate Carb Start Date: Restart: 7/16/12	Good post. It is fascinating to find the benefits of LC eating go so far back.

01-12-2013, 12:19 PM	#8
rubidoux Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 970 Gallery: rubidoux Stats: 214/165/130 (5'0") WOE: HF/MP/LC Start Date: restart 9/2012	So interesting! Thanks for sharing!

01-12-2013, 12:39 PM	#9
lowcarbella Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 144 Gallery: lowcarbella Stats: 241(pregnancy highest)/187/150(or 20-25%BF) WOE: Atkins/HFLCMP/NK Start Date: Feb 2012	amazing!!

01-12-2013, 05:54 PM	#10
MaryMary Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Land of Patriots Posts: 5,651 Gallery: MaryMary Stats: Then 376/now 155.4 /% of body weight lost is 58% WOE: GS NMW! Start Date: Jan 2001	Thank you for sharing this!

01-13-2013, 12:15 AM	#11
unna Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Germany Posts: 153 Gallery: unna Stats: 230/155-160/tone WOE: Primal LCHF Start Date: January 2012	I'm glad everyone enjoyed this - I know I found it interesting! I'll make sure to share other interesting tidbits of information as I run across them.

01-23-2013, 07:53 PM	#12
thealything Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 490 Gallery: thealything Stats: 238/196/138 5'7" WOE: Atkins (DANDR) Start Date: restart March '12	this is awesome, thank you!