Many ancient Egyptian pharaohs were overweight and suffered from atherosclerosis, likely caused by their diet rich in honey, bread, and beer.

A landmark 2011 study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Imaging examined 52 Egyptian mummies using CT scans. Led by Dr. Gregory Thomas and Dr. Adel Allam, the research team discovered that 44 percent of the mummies showed evidence of atherosclerosis, or hardened arteries. This condition was especially common among the royal elite, who enjoyed a far richer diet than ordinary citizens.Egyptian royalty consumed meals heavy in saturated fats and simple carbohydrates. Temple inscriptions and archaeological findings reveal that priests and royals regularly ate meat from fattened cattle, sheep, and goats. They also ate large quantities of bread made from refined flour and honey-sweetened cakes. Their beer was thick and nutrient-dense, significantly boosting their daily caloric intake and blood sugar levels.Queen Hatshepsut, who reigned from 1478 to 1458 BC, provides a striking example. When her mummy was identified and scanned in 2007, researchers found evidence that she was likely obese and suffered from diabetes and bone cancer at the time of her death. These discoveries challenge the notion that ancient people were naturally healthy and lean. Instead, they show that whenever humans have access to high-calorie, low-fiber diets, they develop the same metabolic and cardiovascular problems we face today.