Page 67 - Beauties for Life in the Qur'an

THE BENEFITS OF ANIMALS MENTIONED IN THE QUR'AN 65

ents that they need to maintain their health through good nutri-
tion, are offered many nutrients in their best states and ready
for use. Seafood is quite rich in nutrients, for it was created to
meet the human body's mineral and vitamin needs. Allah
draws our attention to the benefits of such food:
Anything you catch in the sea is lawful for you, and all food
from it, for your enjoyment and that of travelers... (Surat al-
Ma'ida: 96)
Seafood products are relatively high in such minerals as
chromium, cobalt, phosphorus, copper, iodine, fluorine, and
sodium. As a result, they promote growth and development,
balance blood pressure, and prevent diabetes. Cobalt prevents
anemia, while copper and iodine accelerate the absorption of
iron so that people can feel energetic. Seafood also facilitates
mental processes and fosters the healthy development of skin,
teeth, hair, and nails. Zinc, which is plenteous in such food, is an
essential element that fosters bodily growth and development,
protects the senses of taste and smell, is instrumental in healing
wounds, and regulates the amount of vitamin A in the blood-
stream. Furthermore, it is part of insulin, which controls one's
metabolic energy requirements. Fluorine strengthens bones
12
and helps the muscles and nervous system to function in an or-
derly manner. 13
The Qur'an mentions another very important feature of such
nutrients in Surat an-Nahl 14: "… you can eat fresh meat from
it..." It is striking that Allah draws attention to "fresh meat" in
this verse, for, as we know, seafood must be consumed while it
is still fresh. Otherwise, such meat will harm the body. The fact
that only seafood products are so described in the Qur'an may
indicate this fact.