Tag: Medieval health

Contrary to popular belief, studies on medieval artifacts reveal that the peasant diet, composed largely of whole grains and homegrown vegetables, was surprisingly well-rounded and nutritious. However, the real question remains: was the medieval peasant diet healthy when factoring in the constant threat of famine, disease, and backbreaking labor?

Archaeological evidence reveals that the average Viking man was approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, significantly taller than other Europeans of the time, such as English peasants. The popular notion of Vikings as towering giants is often exaggerated, but their superior height for the era was real, and their diet played a critical role in their stature. So, what did Vikings eat to get so tall?

Historically, scurvy was a feared disease that plagued sailors for centuries, yet Vikings managed to navigate the globe with surprisingly low incidences of this vitamin C deficiency. Where did Vikings get vitamin C, and how did their diet, adapted to northern climates, keep them healthy on long, arduous sea voyages?