'Analyse local food products for health benefits'

Scope for research is immense: Batra

Noting the benefits of locally available vegetables in improving the health of a person, Director of Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) Harsh Vardhan Batra urged the students to conduct a scientific analysis of food products.

He was speaking at the inaugural function of a UGC-sponsored two-day national seminar on ‘Phytochemicals and Functional Foods: Current Situation and Future Prospects’, held at JSS College of Arts, Commerce and Science, in the city, on Friday.

Citing an example, he said, cooked tomatoes had some compounds, which could prevent cancer among persons who consume it regularly. “There are 50 to 60 varieties of tomatoes available in the State, with different benefits. Only a few studies have been taken up regarding them and there is scope to conduct scientific analysis of all the varieties,” he added.
He said, such compounds, which can prevent diseases was present in most of the vegetables and rhizomes consumed in the region.

Identification of the compounds should be taken up by students, he added.

Hindrance
Batra said, regulations regarding the safety of functional foods was one of the hindrances that has prevented the DFRL from exposing such food items to the general population.
“Recently, DFRL designed a special drink for pilots flying fighter jets, using plant extracts. The paste, thus produced should be mixed with water and consumed before a flight. The product is well appreciated by Defence personnel, due to its benefits,” he said.

Using the same extracts, the DFRL designed a functional food product that was similar to the paste for fighter jets, and worked well in reducing anxiety and enhanced memory. “DFRL decided to distribute the product among children of a school in the city, so that the students could be benefitted too. However, before we could distribute it, some parents questioned whether there has been ethical clearance for the product and we had to drop our plans,” he said.

Healthcare costs
He said, increased healthcare costs have cast a huge financial burden on the government and the people. These factors make it essential to increase awareness about nutritional supplements, he said.

Speaking on the diseases affecting the people, he said, while obesity is of great concern globally, the percentage of people affected in India is less. However, it is a concern for affluent families in India too, he said.

Noting that diabetes is a ‘major concern’ in India, he said, a cocktail of vegetable juices could control the disease. However, consumption of rice products has to avoided, he added.