Why Doesn't a 7 Day Adventist Eat Pork? Biblical and Health Reasons Explained

December 10, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the Adventist Health Study, Adventists have a longer life expectancy than the general population. A key factor in this longevity is their adherence to a strict diet, including abstaining from pork. This practice is rooted in a combination of biblical teachings and a holistic health philosophy.

Quick Summary

This article explores the theological and health-conscious motivations behind the Seventh-day Adventist practice of avoiding pork. It delves into the Old Testament origins of clean and unclean foods, examines the church's interpretation of biblical dietary laws, and discusses the health principles advocated by pioneers of the Adventist movement, including Ellen G. White.

Key Points

Biblical Prohibition: Seventh-day Adventists base their refusal to eat pork on Old Testament scriptures, primarily Leviticus 11, which designates pigs as 'unclean' animals.
Holistic Health Message: The Adventist Church views these dietary laws as timeless health principles, not just ceremonial rules for ancient Israel, aligning them with their holistic health message.
Ellen G. White's Influence: The writings of church co-founder Ellen G. White strongly reinforced the health message, emphasizing the avoidance of pork and other unhealthy foods.
Longevity and Lifestyle: The longevity of Adventists in blue zones like Loma Linda is attributed to their healthy lifestyle, which includes a predominantly plant-based diet and abstinence from pork.
Spiritual and Physical Well-being: For Adventists, healthy eating is a way to honor God, viewing the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, which benefits both physical and spiritual health.
Pork's Reputation as Scavenger: Historically, pigs were seen as scavengers that consumed refuse, a perception that fueled the belief that their meat is unclean and unhealthy.

Biblical Basis: Clean and Unclean Meats

The practice of not eating pork for Seventh-day Adventists originates from Old Testament scriptures, specifically Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These texts outline which animals are considered 'clean' (fit for consumption) and 'unclean' (unfit).

Land Animals: To be considered clean, a land animal must have both a divided or cloven hoof and chew the cud. Pigs possess cloven hooves but do not chew the cud, rendering them unclean. Other animals like camels and rabbits are also considered unclean for similar reasons.
Water Animals: Creatures from the water are considered clean only if they have both fins and scales, which excludes bottom feeders like shellfish.

Seventh-day Adventists believe these guidelines are not merely ceremonial rituals for the ancient Israelites but are timeless health principles established by God for all people. They interpret these health laws as part of a broader health message, viewing the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20) and thus deserving of the best care.

The Role of Ellen G. White

A key figure in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ellen G. White, expanded upon the biblical health message in her writings. She consistently advocated for a healthy, often vegetarian, diet and reinforced the belief that pork is an unhealthy food. Her writings cemented the church's position on dietary matters, moving it from a suggestion to a central part of the Adventist lifestyle. She taught that avoiding pork and other unclean meats is part of a larger commitment to temperance and physical and spiritual health.

Health Arguments for Avoiding Pork

Beyond religious interpretations, Adventists cite several health concerns related to pork consumption, which align with both historical views and modern scientific findings. The historical belief is that pigs are scavengers, consuming refuse and garbage, which made them vectors for disease.

Modern health studies provide additional support for a plant-based diet, which many Adventists follow. Research conducted by Loma Linda University has shown significant health benefits among Adventists who adhere to these principles, including lower rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.

The Connection Between Diet and Longevity

The high life expectancy of Adventists living in Loma Linda, California, a designated 'blue zone,' is often attributed to their health-focused lifestyle. This includes their predominantly plant-based diet, which minimizes the intake of saturated fats and processed meats often associated with health problems. By focusing on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, Adventists prioritize a diet that supports longevity and well-being.

Comparison of Dietary Practices

While the practice of avoiding pork is common in some religious traditions, the specific motivations and interpretations vary. This table compares the dietary approaches of Seventh-day Adventism with other major religions.


Feature	Seventh-day Adventists	Judaism	Islam	Many Mainstream Christians
Pork Consumption	Avoided (unclean food)	Avoided (not Kosher)	Avoided (Haram)	Generally Permitted
Dietary Authority	Old Testament (Leviticus & Deuteronomy), Ellen G. White	Old Testament (Torah), Talmudic law (Kashrut)	Quran, Hadith (Halal)	New Testament interpreted to supersede Old Testament food laws
Primary Motivation	Holistic health (spiritual and physical)	Obedience to God's commandments (Holiness)	Obedience to God (Purity)	Freedom in Christ, Body as temple
Other Restrictions	Discourages caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, shellfish	Restrictions on mixing meat and dairy, specific slaughter methods	Prohibition of alcohol, improper slaughter methods	Few, if any, specific food prohibitions

Conclusion

In summary, the Seventh-day Adventist abstention from pork is a deeply rooted practice based on both theological and health-conscious principles. Rooted in Old Testament texts that classify certain animals as unclean, this tradition was further emphasized by key Adventist leaders who connected dietary choices with overall well-being. Far from being a mere dietary quirk, the avoidance of pork is part of a comprehensive health message that, for many adherents, leads to a healthier and longer life. This practice reflects a commitment to caring for the body as a sacred vessel, in harmony with their spiritual beliefs.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary reason is their interpretation of biblical dietary laws found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, which classify pigs as unclean animals unfit for consumption.

While the ideal Adventist diet is often vegetarian or vegan, some members do consume 'clean' meats, such as fish with fins and scales, or land animals with divided hooves that chew the cud.

No, Adventists do not believe that abstaining from pork is a means of salvation. Instead, they see a healthy diet as an expression of their relationship with God and a way to live their best life.

Beyond pork, many Adventists also avoid shellfish, alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine. They generally favor a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts.

Adventists interpret biblical teachings, including those of Jesus, as reinforcing the original health principles rather than abolishing them. They view the prohibition of pork as a timeless health instruction. Some other Christian denominations, however, interpret passages like Mark 7 as declaring all foods clean.

While Adventists, Jews (kosher), and Muslims (halal) all avoid pork based on scriptural laws, their overall dietary codes differ significantly regarding other animals, food preparation, and specific prohibitions.

The holistic Adventist health message, including their diet, is a key factor in the long life expectancy observed in Adventist communities like Loma Linda, California, a Blue Zone recognized for its high concentration of centenarians.