Not an answer, but I would suggest that the ideas of morality on which these rules are/were based is much a psychology topic as it is a historical one, and /r/askscience may also have some illuminating discussion on the topic.

In Islam, at least, pork is a no-go for a couple of reasons.

"He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah". (An-Naĥl 16:115)

Swine can't be slaughtered in a strictly halal fashion because their necks are so broad and short.^1 The draining of blood becomes a more difficult and messy process. Also, pigs are infamous for eating anything, whether it's trash, other pigs, or even humans. In Islam, at least, human-eating animals are not highly regarded. Wild dogs would inhabit the garbage piles and outskirts of villages, occasionally attacking people. Dogs are forbidden as pets, food, and hunting companions, as well.

Beer has a very long history in mankind that coincides, of course, with alcohol abuse. Every generation has its complaints. The main ones throughout history have been that it a) wastes money, b) incites violence, and c) causes debauchery. Being that most religions are considered as rule books for moral conduct, it's not surprising that Islam expressly forbids alcohol consumption. We can also take into account the lack of good, arable land and dwindling water sources in the region in the past 5,000 or so years; you're not going to have much devoted to thirsty grapes or grains that won't feed people. Also, spirits, wines, and beers are quite thoroughly knotted into European tradition; they predate Christianity, certainly, and would not be extricated.

Chabad.org gives some "reasons" for the Kosher diet that can't be verified but do have long-standing tradition in the Jewish faith. In Judaism, your meat must a) chew cud, and b) have split hooves. This seems to support a nomadic lifestyle regulated by migration of one's herd of sheep, goats, cattle, camels, etc.

The birds and many of the mammals we do not eat are predators, while the permitted animals are not. We are commanded not to eat those animals possessive of a cruel nature, so that we should not absorb these qualities into ourselves.

The commandment refines the person and instills self-discipline.

As for no sex before marriage, keep in mind that brides in Biblical times might be as young as 6, in Mohammad's case, or later, 14 and 12 in the Dark Ages. Anything earlier than that is essentially considered childhood or "maidenhood."

All in all, I'd say there were reasonable defenses of forbidden foods, activities, etc, in ancient times. Today, however, we know more about the actual effects of certain foods and drinks, and pedophilia is abhorred while use of contraceptives has soared. What today we take for granted as being ultraconservative and close-minded systems were, back in the day, ways of keeping people healthy, reducing crime, and protecting children. So, they're "masochists" in today's sense, but back then, people were slaughtering children to make it rain. In this way, I'd say "masochism" exists on a sliding scale. In 1000 years maybe consumption of ultraprocessed foods and factory farms will make our descendants cringe as much.

1 islam.ru