How Foods Used in Health and Illness

Home Remedies

Contrary to the medical climate in the United States, Poland has a heavy emphasis on home remedies. These range from rubbing garlic on your nose as a natural antibiotic to drinking Coca-Cola for gastric problems. Not all of these remedies are backed by science, the Medical Journal of Australia performed an experiment to test the effect of vitamin C to fight a cold versus the results of a placebo. The experiment found that the placebo was equally as effective as vitamin C. An especially unique remedy from Poland is the use of honey and onion syrup as a preventative antiseptic that is also known for strengthening heart muscles.

Typical Diet

Cereal grains including wheat, rye, and barley are known to be apart of Poland’s richest agricultural lands and Poland’s most important dietary staples. Other highly valued products are potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers. Boiled potatoes are the most common side dish with meat being the most important part of the Polish diet. Pork is the most popular meat with the most commonly eaten meat dish being a fried breaded pork cutlet served with thick sauce.

Food Based on Religious Celebrations

The prominence of Catholicism within Poland has also had a heavy influence on the food consumed at specific holiday meals. The two most prominent are Christmas and Easter, respectively. A traditional Christmas Eve dinner consisted of twelve or thirteen courses for Jesus and each of his apostles. There is no meat served at this meal, instead, the main meal is usually two types of fish. Another unique tradition of Poland is having cookies served as dessert as well as a decoration for the Christmas tree.

Foods Related to Medical Value

Most Important Ingredients

Sustenance for the body is an important aspect of staying healthy. The Poland culture relies largely on vegetables in the kitchen for the highly nutritional value and ability to mix easily with a variety of dishes. Poland is unique compared to most since mushrooms can be found in most parts of their cuisine. Having a large focus on meat in their meals, pork is known as their most popular meat.

Certain foods are relied on to solve medical issues, removing the need for prescription drugs and a specialist. A clear example of this is Peroxide, a widely known antiseptic, being used to solve a sore throat through gargling. Garlic is known for having antibacterial properties especially towards pathogenic fungi and viruses that cause colds and cases of influenza. Cabbage is used in a variety of applications to solve many symptoms. According to Polish culture, ulceration and bruises can be solved by covering the effected area with warm cabbage leaves. In addition, cabbage reportedly helps with the strength of nails and the color of hair.

Significance of Dairy Products

Poland’s culture finds positive values in dairy products and sees it as a key role in prevention of some diseases. Some products are known for their favorable effect on the digestive system and the consumption of these products are associated with lower body weight and fat. The interest of the Polish people is held through the dairy industry’s introduction of new products and continuous research into associated health benefits. Examples can be found in yogurts, kefirs, and buttermilk, being linked to a heightened immune system.

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