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5 Top Indian Food Myths Busted
  • Arati Shah

  • 02, Dec. 2022

5 Top Indian Food Myths Busted

While growing up, we have heard many myths that have been associated with food. Many of them have been about how different foods have certain effects on our body, be it good or bad. India being a vast country with different cultures has many food myths. In fact, some of the myths have been passed down from generations and our eating habits are impacted by them. Whether these myths are true or they hold no ground is something we are discussing in this write up. An Indian nutritionist with a qualified degree can also help in evaluating the doubts that you may have regarding any of the myths or food concerns that you may have.  

There are many of these myths that are still doled out and although there may be no scientific basis to them, they are being followed. Below are some myths that we are helping debunk: 

  1. Drinking water in between meals affects digestion 

One often hears that drinking water during meals is not a good practice. The reasoning is that the stomach acids are diluted and digestion is hampered. However, the truth is that the stomach’s acidic environment is not affected by the consumption of water.   

  1. Papaya should be avoided during pregnancy 

A good diet is of utmost importance during pregnancy as it helps in the physical and mental development of the fetus. Although fruits are considered very important during pregnancy, papaya is said to be harmful to the fetus. It is suggested that normal consumption of fully ripe papaya during pregnancy may not pose any significant danger to the fetus and is often beneficial. However, it is the unripe or semi ripe papaya containing high concentration of latex that produces uterine contractions leading to early labor is unsafe for pregnancy.   

  1. Eating curd can cause a cold 

Curd is an excellent source of beneficial or “good” bacteria. It helps in digestion and is an excellent source of calcium for strong bones and teeth. The myth that eating curd in the evening causes cold is often heard from people. The truth is that cold is caused on exposure to a virus when one’s immunity is low. So, curd cannot be assumed to be causing the cold as it is the virus causing it. 

  1. Don’t drink milk with fish 

A fish lover has often heard about not having milk with fish. It is believed that it could lead to rashes or skin irritation, or even worse, it can lead to formation of white patches or skin pigmentation. However, there is no scientific basis to this claim. In fact, there are many Indian fish recipes which include curd, a milk product in the recipe itself. No untoward effects have been seen. In fact, vitiligo or white spots is an autoimmune disease resulting in white spots and is not a result of eating fish and milk or milk products together.  

  1. Rock salt is better than table salt 

Table salt is white in colour whereas rock salt is pinkish in appearance and is not very fine. Rock salt is also called Halite and is the mineral form of sodium chloride. While table salt is processed to remove impurities rock salt has no such process. Rock salt would have some extra minerals (potassium, zinc, magnesium, iron, etc) and is very low in iodine while table salt has almost no minerals but has iodine in it. However, since both contain sodium chloride it means that anything more than the required amount will have a negative impact on the health of a person.  

  1. Eating saffron (kesar) during pregnancy makes the baby fair  

The pregnancy phase is considered to be an important phase in a woman’s life and in India there are many myths associated with it. One such myth is the consumption of kesar or saffron for a fairer baby. Now, the baby’s colour is determined by genes and the melanin present in the skin. Saffron or kesar has no role to play in the skin colour at all. However, consumption of saffron may help in digestion which is a little slow in pregnancy. However, excess can be harmful as it can trigger uterine contractions.  

  1. Eating sugar causes diabetes 

Sugar is not responsible for causing diabetes directly. Type 1 diabetes is an auto immune disease and so has no bearing on the sugar intake at all. Type 2 diabetes is directly not caused by sugar. However, excess sugar consumption can cause weight gain or obesity increasing the person’s chance to get Type 2 diabetes. A diabetes nutrition program by Cafe Nutrition provides the best diet for diabetics.

Tips on health and nutrition are found everywhere in magazines, on the internet and on television shows. Also, there are many do and don’t regarding different foods. It would be prudent to consult an Indian nutritionist who would be able clear any doubts that you may have regarding these do’s and don’ts. Café Nutrition with their weight loss centres in Mumbai is one of the best nutritionist in Mumbai  that could help you plan healthy and balanced meals not only as a part of their weight loss programs but also as a part of healthy lifestyle food plans.