The Hidden Dangers of Overeating Even Healthy Foods- The Second and Third Principles: Regulation and Cleansing

Contrary to the common belief that eating large amounts of healthy food increases health, one of the causes of death is excessive food intake- even if composed entirely of healthy ingredients. The damage caused by overeating is twofold:

A. It creates unnecessary fat storage in the body.
B. It puts excessive strain on vital systems and impairs the quality of digestion.

The body’s digestive system is designed with remarkable wisdom. It consists of grinding and kneading tools, transport mechanisms, laboratory chambers, digestive pipes, and more, all working together to transform solid food into building blocks and fuel for the body. Special mechanisms identify waste in food, filter it out, and eliminate it from the body.

The process begins with the teeth, which grind the food into small pieces. Saliva glands release fluids to soften and break down the pieces, while the tongue kneads everything into a uniform mass and transfers it to the opening at the back of the mouth. From there, muscular contractions push the chewed food down a special pipe into the stomach- a central "lab room" where acids and digestive juices break it down further.

From the stomach, the mixture continues a long journey through the intestines, about 7–8 meters long. It begins in the duodenum, where additional "labs" add digestive juices specific to various food types, and ends in the large intestine. The small intestine absorbs nutrients into the body, while waste continues toward the colon, where it is stored until excretion.

By Divine kindness, the body’s design ensures that the waste exits from the back of the body, while the mouth- used for pleasant-tasting and fragrant food- is located at the front. Another act of kindness is that waste doesn't exit automatically, but it is held back by a muscular gate that opens only after the brain gives permission, guided by decency and manners. These are profound reminders of the intelligent design of the human body.

The stomach is like a balloon and can expand or contract depending on how much food is inside. However, for digestion to function properly, the stomach must remain soft and not overloaded. Overeating stiffens and stretches the stomach, hindering its movement and ability to mix the food with essential digestive juices. Thorough and relaxed chewing is also crucial, as it helps the rest of the digestive system work effectively.

Maimonides (Rambam) considered overeating so harmful that he said: "Eating a small amount of unhealthy food causes less harm than eating a large amount of healthy food." He also wrote: 
"Excessive eating is like poison to the human body. It is the root of all illnesses. Most illnesses come either from bad foods or from overeating- even if those foods are good."

He cites King Solomon’s wisdom: "He who guards his mouth and tongue guards his soul from trouble." That is, guarding one's mouth from bad foods or overeating, and one's tongue from idle speech.

What is the correct amount to eat?
Each person according to their body size, but the key is to stop eating before feeling full. The Rambam advises: "Do not eat until your stomach is full; stop at about three-quarters of your satiation."
Stopping at about 75% capacity allows proper digestion and optimal benefit from the food.

The Rambam also wrote in his Letter on Ethics: "Don’t believe that eating and drinking in abundance enlarges the body and sharpens the mind like filling a sack- quite the opposite is true."

Cleansing the Body of Accumulated Waste

When waste accumulates in the body, the problem is not just its presence, but also the partial absorption of waste into the bloodstream, which pollutes various systems and causes gradual harm. It is therefore essential to maintain regular bowel movements, at least once daily. According to the Rambam"A person should always strive to keep their bowels soft, even slightly loose. This is a major rule in medicine: when waste is blocked or hard to release, severe illnesses follow."

Constipation affects not only physical health but also mood and emotional well-being. A person may become restless, irritable, or short-tempered over minor issues, without realizing the physical pressure from constipation is the root cause. Relieving this can bring immediate relief to both the person and those around them.

Tips to support bowel function and detoxification:

• Drink plenty of fluids, even several cups of water at once. There is also some benefit from natural citrus juices like grapefruit.
• Eat fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, bran, and whole-grain bread. These stimulate bowel activity because fibers are not digested, so they force the intestines to work harder and also absorb toxins to carry them out. Note: Bran requires sufficient water. Without it, it may worsen constipation by increasing blockages.
• Dried plums (prunes) and their soaking water can also be helpful.
• In special cases, medicinal aids may be used, but these should not become a habit. If needed, natural remedies are preferable to chemical ones.