Explore the vast range of titles available.

How did medieval hermits survive on their self-denying diet? What did they eat, and how did unethical monks get around the rules? The Egyptian hermit Onuphrios was said to have lived entirely on dates, and perhaps the most famous of all hermits, John the Baptist, on locusts and wild honey. Was it really possible to sustain life on so little food? The history of monasticism is defined by the fierce and passionate abandonment of the ordinary comforts of life, the most striking being food and drink. A Hermit’s Cookbook opens with stories and pen portraits of the Desert Fathers of early Christianity and their followers who were ascetic solitaries, hermits and pillar-dwellers. It proceeds to explore how the ideals of the desert fathers were revived in both the Byzantine and western traditions, looking at the cultivation of food in monasteries, eating and cooking, and why hunting animals was rejected by any self-respecting hermit. Full of rich anecdotes, and including recipes for basic monk’s stew and bread soup – and many others – this is a fascinating story of hermits, monks, food and fasting in the Middle Ages.

Background/Objectives: Greek Orthodox fasting (OF), which involves 180–200 days of fasting per year, is dictated by the Christian Orthodox religion. For the first time, this cross-sectional study examines the characteristics and the effects of OF on anthropometry, cardiometabolic markers and calcium homeostasis in Athonian monks (AMs). Subjects/Methods: Daily intakes of energy, macro- and micronutrients of a day during a weekend of Nativity Fast, defined as non-restrictive day (NRD), and a weekday during Great Lent, labeled as restrictive day (RD) were recorded. Results: The daily energy intake of 70 AM (age=38.8±9.7 years) was low during both RD and NRD (1265.9±84.5 vs 1660±81 kcal, respectively, P <0.001). Paired samples t -test showed statistically significant difference between daily intakes in RD and NRD: carbohydrates (159.6±21.8 vs 294.3±23.4 g, P <0.0001) and saturated fat (12.7±0.0 vs 16.4±0.0 g, P <0.0001) were lower, whereas protein (89.2±1.3 vs 72.35±1.3 g, P <0.001) was higher during RD. A subsample of 50 monks (age=38.7±10.6 years) formed a study cohort for cardiometabolic and calcium homeostasis assessment. Body weight (74.3±12.9 kg) and body mass index (BMI; 23.8±4.1 kg/m 2 ) were independent of level of physical activity. Optimal profiles for lipid and glucose parameters (total cholesterol: 183.4±41.7 mg/dl, LDL: 120.6±37.6 mg/dl, triglycerides: 72.2±31.3 mg/dl, HDL: 48.5±14.2 mg/dl and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) 1.02±0.40) were found. Profound hypovitaminosis D (8.8±6.2 ng/ml), high parathyroid hormone (PTH): 115.5±48.0 pg/ml with normal serum calcium levels (8.9±3.2 mg/dl) was observed. Conclusions: Unaffected by variation in lifestyle factors, the results of this unique study offers clear evidence for the health benefits of the strict Athonian OF through optimal lipid and glucose homeostasis.

Greek Orthodox fasting (OF), which involves 180-200 days of fasting per year, is dictated by the Christian Orthodox religion. For the first time, this cross-sectional study examines the characteristics and the effects of OF on anthropometry, cardiometabolic markers and calcium homeostasis in Athonian monks (AMs). The daily energy intake of 70 AM (age=38.8[plus or minus]9.7 years) was low during both RD and NRD (1265.9[plus or minus]84.5 vs 1660[plus or minus]81 kcal, respectively, P<0.001). Paired samples t-test showed statistically significant difference between daily intakes in RD and NRD: carbohydrates (159.6[plus or minus]21.8 vs 294.3[plus or minus]23.4 g, P<0.0001) and saturated fat (12.7[plus or minus]0.0 vs 16.4[plus or minus]0.0 g, P<0.0001) were lower, whereas protein (89.2[plus or minus]1.3 vs 72.35[plus or minus]1.3 g, P<0.001) was higher during RD. A subsample of 50 monks (age=38.7[plus or minus]10.6 years) formed a study cohort for cardiometabolic and calcium homeostasis assessment. Body weight (74.3[plus or minus]12.9 kg) and body mass index (BMI; 23.8[plus or minus]4.1 kg/m.sup.2) were independent of level of physical activity. Optimal profiles for lipid and glucose parameters (total cholesterol: 183.4[plus or minus]41.7 mg/dl, LDL: 120.6[plus or minus]37.6 mg/dl, triglycerides: 72.2[plus or minus]31.3 mg/dl, HDL: 48.5[plus or minus]14.2 mg/dl and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) 1.02[plus or minus]0.40) were found. Profound hypovitaminosis D (8.8[plus or minus]6.2 ng/ml), high parathyroid hormone (PTH): 115.5[plus or minus]48.0 pg/ml with normal serum calcium levels (8.9[plus or minus]3.2 mg/dl) was observed. Unaffected by variation in lifestyle factors, the results of this unique study offers clear evidence for the health benefits of the strict Athonian OF through optimal lipid and glucose homeostasis.

•Orthodox fasting (OF) is a periodical vegetarian subset of the Mediterranean diet.•We evaluated OF effects in general population fasters (GF) and Athonian monks (AM).•AM demonstrated lower BMI, Body Fat Mass and HOMA-IR values compared to GF.•The results highlight the unique characteristics of Athonian OF as a health-promoting diet.•Limitation of specific vitamins and minerals during OF warrants further investigation. Christian Orthodox fasting (COF), a periodical vegetarian subset of the Mediterranean diet, has been proven to exert beneficial effects on human health. Athonian fasting is a pescetarian COF variation, where red meat is strictly restricted throughout the year. Previous studies have examined the COF nutritional synthesis and health effects in general population fasters (GF) and Athonian monks (AM), separately. The aim of this study is to comparatively evaluate the characteristics and effects of this nutritional advocacy between the two populations. The study included 43 male GFs (20–45 y of age) and 57 age-matched male AMs following COF. Dietary intake data were collected in both groups during a restrictive (RD) and a nonrestrictive (NRD) day. Nutritional, cardiometabolic, and anthropometric parameters were compared between the two cohorts. AM presented lower daily total caloric intake for both RD (1362.42 ± 84.52 versus 1575.47 ± 285.96 kcal, P < 0.001) and NRD (1571.55 ± 81.07 versus 2137.80 ± 470.84 kcal, P < 0.001) than GF.They also demonstrated lower body mass index (23.77 ± 3.91 versus 28.92 ± 4.50 kg/m2, P <0.001), body fat mass (14.57 ± 8.98 versus 24.61 ± 11.18 kg, P = 0.001), and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance values (0.98 ± 0.72 versus 2.67 ± 2.19 mmol/L, P < .001) than GF. Secondary hyperparathyroidism (parathyroid hormone concentrations: 116.08 ± 49.74 pg/mL), as a result of profound hypovitaminosis D [25(OH)D: 9.27 ± 5.81 ng/mL], was evident in the AM group. The results of the present study highlight the unique characteristics of Athonian fasting and its value as a health-promoting diet. The effects of limitation of specific vitamins and minerals during fasting warrants further investigation.

Introduction: Christian Orthodox fasting is a pattern high in complex carbohydrates and low in refined carbohydrates. It has been explored in association with its potential health benefits. The present review aims to comprehensively explore the existing available clinical data concerning the potential favorable impact of the dietary pattern of Christian Orthodox fasting on human health. Methods: PubMed database, Web of Science and Google Scholar were extensively searched in order to identify the more appropriate clinical studies that explore the effect of Christian Orthodox fasting on health-related outcomes in humans utilizing relative keywords. We initially retrieved 121 records through database searching. After applying several exclusion criteria, 17 clinical studies were finally included in this review study. Discussion: Christian Orthodox fasting showed beneficial effects concerning glucose and lipid control, whereas the data for blood pressure remain inconclusive. Concerning weight control, fasters were characterized by lower body mass and lower caloric intake in the course of the fasting periods. During fasting, this pattern is higher in fruits and vegetables, showing the absence of dietary deficiencies for iron and folate. Nevertheless, dietary deficiencies were recorded for calcium and vitamin B2, and also hypovitaminosis D has been noticed in monks. Interestingly, the vast majority of monks do present with both good quality of life and mental health. Conclusions: Overall, Christian Orthodox fasting is a dietary pattern low in refined carbohydrates and high in complex carbohydrates and fiber that may be beneficial for human health promotion and chronic disease prevention. However, further studies are strongly recommended on the impact of long-term religious fasting on HDL cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Istanbul cuisine has a rich and unique gastronomic identity shaped by the interaction of many cultures throughout history. This study aims to systematically examine the effects of Byzantine cuisine, which is often overlooked in the literature, on Istanbul cuisine. While existing studies focus on the Central Asian and Ottoman heritage, the role of Byzantine cuisine has been addressed in a limited way, and a comprehensive analysis has been lacking. The study aims to fill the literature gap in this field by revealing that Byzantine cuisine is an important building block in Istanbul's gastronomic identity in terms of historical continuity, cultural transmission, and diversity. This study employed a systematic literature review to establish a conceptual framework and identify gaps in existing research. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted to gather in-depth information on Byzantine culinary heritage, and the resulting data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. This methodological approach offered an interdisciplinary perspective, ensuring data integrity in the field of historical gastronomy research. The findings were classified under three main impact themes (cultural heritage, social continuity, and geographical-strategic impact) and five contribution headings. Particularly, contributions to food diversity and the enrichment of culinary culture were highlighted. The results provide an interdisciplinary contribution to historical gastronomy and cultural heritage studies. Overall, Byzantine cuisine has a significant impact and contribution to Istanbul cuisine in terms of diversity, cultural heritage, and culinary culture.

Sustainable health approaches promote functional food alternatives that support metabolic well-being while reducing reliance on added sugars and artificial sweeteners. Monk fruit extract (MFE), a natural, non-caloric sweetener, is gaining interest for its potential metabolic benefits, but its effects and regulatory status require further evaluation. Objective: This PRISMA-guided systematic review synthesizes findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the impact of MFE on metabolic health, lipid profiles, inflammation, and regulatory considerations. Methods: The literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, covering studies published between 2015 and 2025. Inclusion criteria were human RCTs evaluating MFE’s metabolic effects, while animal studies, reviews, and mixed-intervention trials were excluded. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the Jadad scale. Results: Five randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria, demonstrating that monk fruit extract (MFE) reduces postprandial glucose levels by 10–18% and insulin responses by 12–22%. No severe adverse effects were observed. Regulatory analysis indicated that MFE is approved for use in the United States and China, while its status remains under review in the European Union. Conclusions: MFE shows potential as a functional food ingredient for metabolic health. However, long-term clinical trials and a harmonized regulatory framework must confirm its safety and efficacy within sustainable health strategies

Objective: To assess the phytate intake and molar ratios of phytate to calcium, iron and zinc in the diets of people in China. Design: 2002 China Nationwide Nutrition and Health Survey is a cross-sectional nationwide representative survey on nutrition and health. The information on dietary intakes was collected using consecutive 3 days 24 h recall by trained interviewers. Subjects: The data of 68 962 residents aged 2-101 years old from 132 counties were analyzed. Results: The median daily dietary intake of phytate, calcium, iron and zinc were 1186, 338.1, 21.2 and 10.6 mg, respectively. Urban residents consumed less phytate (781 vs 1342 mg/day), more calcium (374.5 vs 324.1 mg/day) and comparable amounts of iron (21.1 vs 21.2 mg/day) and zinc (10.6 vs 10.6 mg/day) than their rural counterparts. A wide variation in phytate intake among residents from six areas was found, ranging from 648 to 1433 mg/day. The median molar ratios of phytate to calcium, iron, zinc and phytate x calcium/zinc were 0.22, 4.88, 11.1 and 89.0, respectively, with a large variation between urban and rural areas. The phytate:zinc molar ratios ranged from 6.2 to 14.2, whereas the phytate calcium/zinc molar ratios were from 63.7 to 107.2. The proportion of subjects with ratios above the critical values of phytate to iron, phytate to calcium, phytate to zinc and phytate calcium/zinc were 95.4, 43.7, 23.1 and 8.7%, respectively. All the phytate/mineral ratios of rural residents were higher than that of their urban counterparts. Conclusions: The dietary phytate intake of people in China was higher than those in Western developed countries and lower than those in developing countries. Phytate may impair the bioavailability of iron, calcium and zinc in the diets of people in China.

Consumer preferences refer to the subjective assessments of products and services expressed by individuals. The objective of this investigation aims to examine the preferences of consumers regarding dahi, followed by the development of a corresponding product. The initial phase of the experimental design involves understanding the interests of consumers and the variables that influence their purchasing intentions through the administration of a questionnaire. The subsequent phase entails the development of dahi in accordance with consumer preferences, followed by an assessment of its nutritional value, sensory acceptability, and storage study. Subsequently, a significant proportion of consumers (91%) expressed an interest for the introduction of a pineapple-flavour (61.5%) spoon-able dahi (77%) containing natural sugar (65%) and packaged in a cup (71.5%) within the market. To adjust the sweetness intensity of monk fruit, a series of preliminary experiments were carried out to regulate the concentration to a level that can be considered sensory acceptable, specifically 05 g/100 ml. Afterwards, dahi was prepared by altering the concentration of FPP (freeze-dried pine-apple pomace powder) within the range of 0.5 to 2.5 g/100 ml. Prepared dahi were further subjected to sensory evaluation and storage study. Based on the obtained results and sensory analyst feedback, we conclude that the dahi formulation TPM2 exhibits considerable organoleptic acceptance and also has the potential for industrial-scale production to cater wider consumer demands.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to explore the possible synergetic effects between food-restricted behaviour (fasting in Orthodox Christianity) and physical and mental health; and second, to ponder on the nature of fasting and to reveal the potentials monastery cuisine has, reaching outside the world of religion and entering the world of consumption. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach has been applied in order to investigate the synergetic effects between fasting, well-being and anti-consumption. The analysis is based on in-depth interviews carried out in Orthodox monasteries, in particular, in three monasteries in the territory of Mount Athos and in three monasteries in Northern Greece. Additionally, ten Bulgarians who visited monasteries situated at Mount Athos have been interviewed. In a cultural materialistic perspective, this paper seeks to discuss and reveal food and eating habits patterns. It combines the social anthropology of food with the anthropology of Eastern Orthodox religion. Findings The discussed interrelations between fasting, well-being and anti-consumption confirm the synergetic effects, occurring at different points between them. Fasting practices definitely contribute to consumers’ health and well-being. The food-restricted behaviour and the monastery diet are presented as a means of purification not only of the soul but also of the body. Fasting is an intriguing issue that offers many perspectives for people not only within but also without the monastery walls. Food-restricted behaviour as practiced in Orthodox Christianity shall be considered as beneficial for people’s health and as such it can reveal a lot of additional spiritual values for non-believers. Social implications Future applications of fasting practices as a non-consumptive behaviour and in view of social movements for healthy nutrition. A possibility for fasting menus as an alternative to fast food menus can be exploited. Originality/value The study provides some useful insights into the contemporary practice of Eastern Orthodox fasting and confirms that fasting is a successful means of achieving mental and physical well-being. New perspectives for monastery cuisine as a resource and brand strategy for restaurant business and tourism can be mentioned as well.