Fest highlights health benefits of organic food

Human body gets 70 per cent of energy from grains, especially by the staple food like rice. If anyone wants to change the food system, they can avoid polished rice and choose red rice, said Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, Chief Technical Officer Dr Saritha Hegde.

Speaking on the importance of traditional food system, during organic millets’ food fest organised by Desi Uthan Associates and Pranava Yoga and Herbal Care Centre at Ujjodi here on Sunday, she said that the red pigment of the red rice contains antioxidants and polyphenols. The thick part of rice gruel is a source of vitamin ‘E’ and other nutrients. It can avoid side effects of medicines, cleanses kidney and expels the poison content in food.

“Kempu Belthige can prove very helpful to children, pregnant women and mothers facing lactic problem. It provides micronutrients which is helpful for the growth of brain. It is also helpful to cure constipation. Diabetics need not avoid rice, but they can use red rice in limited quantities. Boiled rice, which can be digested easily suits the region. Millets like Ragi or finger millet contains calcium, which is 30 times more than rice or wheat, but those millets have a thicker shell. So, they should be sprouted,” she advised.

‘Akki semige’, ‘Mentye saaru’, ‘Oodalu Uppittu’, ‘Kashaya’, ‘Hot chilly juice’, ‘Nelagadale Holige’, ‘Jolada rotti’, ‘Agase chuttni’, ‘Cabbage Palya’, ‘Chigurele Tambli’, ‘Kempakki Mosaranna’, and many other dishes made of organic items were sold in the exihibition.

Desi Uthan Associates exhibited more than 400 products like rusk and biscuit without maida, ‘Nectorfresh’ honey which can also be consumed by diabetics, virgin coconut oil, prepared out of coconut milk, dry fruits, juice squash, grains, millets and rice of various types and many other were on display.

“We purchase millets and other products from Dharwad, Gadag and Bengaluru. The virgin coconut oil ‘Gencocus’ contains minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and has got good response from consumers. It can be used to cure skin diseases, allergy, dandruff, hair fall etc. The product is being exported,” said Govinda Bhat of Pranava Yoga, Herbal Care Centre.