How come pork is bad for you? People always ask me how safe or careful they should be when eating pork and other pig products. While I was growing up, I learned a lot about Jewish culture so that I could live like Jesus did. For this reason I have never consumed pig products. My parents had taught me this practice and so I listened back then. Now that I’m an adult, I’ve looked into the biblical practices, as well as the health and safety issues with pork, and I’m sure there are good scientific reasons why it’s bad for you.
To honor God with my mind, body, and spirit, I try to eat as many nutrients as possible and as few toxins as possible. I have learned not to support eating pig meat after studying the Bible, pigs’ detoxification systems, and their basic animal nature.
Pork is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide. However, some religions and cultures consider pigs to be unclean animals and prohibit pork consumption. But why is pork seen as unclean by certain groups? In this article, we’ll explore the history behind pork being labeled as unclean, as well as the scientific evidence regarding health effects of pork consumption.
A Brief History on Avoidance of Pork
The avoidance of pork can be traced back thousands of years. In ancient Israel, swine were considered unclean and eating pork was prohibited. This biblical dietary restriction is still followed by certain Jewish and Christian groups today. Under Islamic dietary laws, pork is also forbidden.
But where did this perception of pigs as unclean originate? Pigs likely first became taboo due to their tendency to eat refuse. Unlike cattle, sheep, and goats which graze on grass, pigs are omnivores that consume a variety of foods, including wild tubers, fungi, worms, acorns, and leftover scraps. While allowing pigs to scavenge waste helps recycle organic matter, it can also encourage the spread of parasites and disease if swine feed on fecal matter.
Ancient Jewish texts also point to the view of pigs as unclean animals. In Leviticus 11 7, God declares swine unclean because they do not chew the cud despite having cloven hooves. Deuteronomy 14 8 similarly states that pork is unclean and should not be eaten. These biblical declarations laid the groundwork for pork avoidance in Judaism, which was later carried on in Islam and some Christian denominations.
Beyond religious adherence, there may have also been health considerations behind pork prohibition. In hot climates, eating pigs was likely linked to infectious diseases like trichinosis. Avoiding pork may have therefore prevented illness in biblical times
Potential Health Issues with Pork Consumption
Though modern pork farming practices have reduced risks there are still potential health concerns linked to eating pork.
Trichinosis
Trichinosis is a foodborne disease caused by the parasitic roundworm Trichinella spiralis. Pigs transmit trichinosis by ingesting infected meat. When humans ingest undercooked infected pork, they can develop mild to severe symptoms including:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Muscle pain and weakness
While increased regulation has lowered rates of trichinosis, outbreaks do still occasionally occur from eating raw or undercooked pork.
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Pigs can transmit toxoplasmosis when they ingest contaminated soil, feed, or infected rodents. When humans consume raw or undercooked infected pork, they can develop flu-like symptoms and more serious complications in individuals with weakened immune systems.
Yersinia enterocolitica
Yersinia enterocolitica is a bacterium found in the intestines of pigs that can cause fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in humans when ingested through raw or undercooked pork, contaminated water, or contact with infected pigs.
Group A Rotavirus
Group A rotavirus causes severe diarrhea in children and spreads via the fecal-oral route. Though not unique to pigs, rotavirus is very prevalent in swine and can be transmitted to humans working with infected animals or through consumption or contact with contaminated pork products.
Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E is a virus transmitted through consumption of undercooked pork and contaminated water. In most cases, it causes acute liver inflammation with mild flu-like symptoms. But hepatitis E can progress to fulminant liver failure in pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
Weighing the Evidence on Health Effects of Pork
While the concerns above are legitimate, the risks of foodborne illness through pork have declined substantially through modern farming. With proper cooking, pork poses minimal health risks to most people. Many authorities consider pork acceptable from a dietary perspective, though certain groups still adhere to prohibitions for cultural and religious reasons.
Some data also indicate potential benefits of fresh pork consumption. Lean pork is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. And recent studies have shown diets containing fresh lean pork improve cardiometabolic health factors like blood pressure, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol.
Current evidence does not conclusively prove pork is less healthy than other meats. Any food can transmit disease if handled improperly. So practicing good hygiene and cooking pork thoroughly minimizes risks. Those concerned about pork’s safety can also opt for substitutes like chicken, fish, and plant proteins. But for most people, lean pork eaten in moderation can be part of a balanced diet.
Views of pork as an unclean meat trace back to ancient history. Swine were likely first seen as taboo because of their tendencies to eat refuse and transmit disease in hot climates. Religious texts further codified pork avoidance in Judaism, Islam, and certain branches of Christianity. There are still some legitimate health concerns linked to raw or undercooked pork, including trichinosis, toxoplasmosis, and hepatitis E. However, modern farming practices have greatly reduced these risks. While certain groups still avoid pork for cultural reasons, it can be safely consumed by most people in moderation as part of a varied diet. With proper handling and cooking, pork poses minimal health risks and can provide beneficial nutrients.
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It is only in Leviticus 11:7 that eating pork is forbidden to God’s people for the very first time—“… and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.”
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/07/20/423865233/why-the-pig-is-the-most-loved-and-most-loathed-animal-on-the-plate
Frequency of Entities:
Leviticus 11:7 – 2 times
God’s people – 1 time
pork – 21 times
pig/swine – 5 times
unclean – 8 times
chew the cud – 2 times
cloven hooves – 2 times
]
Why is Pig Meat Toxic?
As the Bible says, animals that “chew the cud” are called ruminants. Ruminants partially chew their food when it is first swallowed. These animals have a special digestive process in which 4 stomachs digest and regurgitate food for additional chewing. Cows, goats and sheep are examples of common ruminants (9).
However, pigs are special in that their digestive systems metabolize food very quickly in one stomach. The process only takes roughly 4 hours. Compare this with a cow which takes 24 hours to digest the food it has eaten. This longer time period further allows excess toxins to be removed during the digestive process. Toxins are not allotted the time needed to be removed from a pig’s digestive tract. As a result, the harmful toxins are accumulated in fat cells and the pig’s organs.
Another detoxification strategy pigs lack is the ability to sweat. Pigs do not have sweat glands and were not intended to perspire. Pathogenic microorganisms and environmental toxins build up in their bodies and the bodies of people who eat pig products because they don’t have a way to get rid of them.
Why is Pork Bad for You
The fact that pigs will eat anything is similar to how trash cans work, which is one reason why pork is bad for you. I also do not believe humans were originally intended to eat pigs.
As discussed in the Bible, the Hebrew people avoided pig products and pork as a dietary belief. Pigs are an unclean meat stated by Leviticus because they do not chew their cud. Even researchers today agree that pigs are not safe for humans to eat because they are very toxic (1).
“The pig doesn’t chew its cud, even though its hoof is split; it’s dirty for you.” ” Leviticus 11:7.
The Hebrews are warned about the rationale regarding their uncleanliness from eating unclean food. Pigs are naturally scavengers that will eat anything they come in contact with and are dirty animals. Pigs are known to eat their own dead bodies, as well as food scraps, insects, and their own waste. Pigs are even known to kill and eat their own young.
Since pigs are so good at finding food on the ground, it makes sense that they carry a lot of viruses and parasites. These pathogenic organisms create dangerous health complications. The following viruses and parasites mostly live on or are spread by pigs (2, 3, 4, 5, 6).
- Menangle virus
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV)
- Nipah virus
- Taenia solium tapeworm
- PRRS (Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome)
Following a Consumer Reports investigation, it was reported that significantly high concentrations of Yersinia enterocolitica and other volatile microorganisms were found in 669 of all tested raw pork samples. This germ makes your stomach hurt, which can cause a fever and maybe even a fatal infection. This is why pork is bad for you.
Pork: Consumer Reports finds harmful bacteria in meat
FAQ
Why is pork the dirtiest meat?
Why is pork not a clean meat?
Why is pork bad to eat?
Why is pork forbidden for Muslims?
Why is pork considered unclean?
The article says that pork is seen as unclean because it is a By-product of the slaughter of other animals. In addition, pork contains higher amounts of bacteria, such as salmonella, than other types of meat. Many religions also consider pork to be unclean. Why is My Pork Chewy? Discover the Secrets to Tender, Juicy Meat 3.
Why is pork not recommended to eat?
This is not true, some cuts like sirloin and pork rump steak, for example, are very healthy, even healthier than beef and chicken. Only the fattest cuts like bacon and crackling should be avoided.
Why are pigs unclean?
We are told that pigs are unclean because they have cloven hooves, for example, but that is a circular argument. We are not told why one hoof shape is more unsanitary than another. Such food taboos are intriguing because they are potentially very costly. After all, keeping the taboo can mean the difference between starving and being well fed.
Did God protect the Israelites from eating undercooked pork?
Of course, eating under-cooked pork would have posed a significant health threat to the Israelites, but God providentially protected them through the Mosaic Law. “If you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you” ( Exodus 15:26 ).