Research published in the journal Heritage [link], with contributions from honorary professor Piergiorgio Righetti in the Department of Chemistry at the Politecnico di Milano, relied on innovative methods to examine earthenware fragments found at the site of the battle which were used by the two armies for their meals. By extracting food residue, the researchers were able to ascertain what the two armies ate, verifying that the Crusaders’ diet was much richer in protein and lower in carbohydrates than that of Saladin’s soldiers. They speculate that this may have influenced the outcome of the battle itself.

An article in The Times and The Sunday Times

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/keto-diet-gave-crusaders-the-edge-in-battle-gbw6gdw33

Crusaders attempting to stake their claim to Jerusalem in the 12th century may have been given a boost by their “cardio diet”, according to researchers who have identified remnants of food in their pottery.A group of scientists who specialise in extracting traces of proteins from historical obje…

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