During the
good old days, there was no special practice of preparing hot
morning break-fast, as we do now, among most South Indian
families, except that, previous day's cooked rice that was
soaked in plain water the previous night was consumed the next
day morning with some nutritious supplements such as fresh
buttermilk, slightly-salted onions or other non-spicy pickles
such as goose berry or lemon. This is an excellent, rich
and the most nutritious food. This is known as " Pazhaya
Saadham" (meaning old rice) in Tamil and "Saddhi Annamu" or
"Saddhennamu" (meaning cold rice) in Telugu.
An American Nutritionist, dietitian and
scientist had researched on the food practices
among various regions in the world and concluded that
the South Indian tradition of consuming the previous day's
cooked rice soaked in plain water overnight, in the morning
next day, as break-fast, is the best.
For centuries, this has been the
staple food of many South Indian families, particularly of the
low income groups. It is, of course, now replaced with
fashionable hot break-fast.
It is found out that previous
day's cooked rice soaked in plain water is very compact and
complete break-fast. It has the rare B6 B12 vitamins which are
not otherwise easily available in other food supplements. This
rice generates and harbours trillions of beneficial bacteria
that help digestion and has many disease fighting and immunity
developing agents. The bacteria that grow in the intestines
due to this rice safeguard the internal organs and keep all
organs battle fit and ready. Consuming this rice helps quicker
digestion and wards off ageing, bone related ailments and
muscular pains.
It is worth giving a try. The
cooked rice can be soaked in an earthen vessel or vessels made
of natural clay or rock. (In Tamil families, vessels made of
natural rock, called as "Kalchatti" was used. Many South
Indian families also use this even now though it is called by
different names in other languages. Some families use this
"Kalchatti" that is handed down to them since
generations even. It is found to be free from harmful bacteria
and other normal disease causing harmful elements.
Brown rice is the best for this as
its nutrients are retained intact.
You will be happy to know that
the American Nutritionist had listed the
following benefits that accrue to the body if you stick to the
practice of consuming such soaked rice.
1. Consuming this rice
as break-fast keeps the body light and
also energetic. 2. Beneficial bacteria
gets produced in abundance for the
body.
3. Stomach ailments
disappear when this is consumed in the
morning, as, excessive and harmful heat retained in
the
body is neutralized.
4. As this food is very
fibrous, it removes constipation and also
dullness in the body.
5. Blood pressure is
normalised and hypertension subsides
appreciably.
6. Body feels less
tired due to this food as a result of which one
feels fresh through out the day.
7. This removes
allergy induced problems and also skin
related ailments.
8. It removes all
types of ulcers in the body.
9. Fresh infections
are kept at bay due to consuming this rice.
10. It helps in maintaining
youthful and radiant look.
Once you consume this, the body
does not crave for tea or coffee. In the olden days, people
who worked in the fields used to leave their houses in the
early morning after consuming this soaked rice and worked hard
for over 8 to 10 hours
non-stop. |
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