New Delhi, January 26 (IANS). Velvety in taste and attractive in appearance, maida has become such a part of our daily diet that it seems almost impossible to leave it. Be it biscuits, samosa, bhatura or pizza, flour is seen everywhere. Do you know how dangerous this ‘white flour’ can be for your stomach? Experts and Ayurveda doctors call it ‘silent crisis’.
Actually, while making flour from wheat, its outer layer and embryo are removed, which contain fiber, vitamins and minerals. What remains is just starch, i.e. empty calories. Ayurveda calls it ‘Nissatva diet’. Without fiber, it works in the intestines just like a machine without grease grinds, jams and creates difficulty in digestion.
As soon as flour mixes with water, it becomes sticky and our intestines have to work hard to move it forward. The villi of the small intestine, i.e. small hairs that absorb nutrition, also do not function properly due to its adhesion. Because of this, not only the flour but also the nutrients eaten with it are not absorbed properly.
Additionally, flour is bleached to make it bright white, which produces a chemical called alloxan. This is very harmful for health and you are eating the same thing unknowingly. Flour is acidic, eating too much of it causes the body to draw calcium from the bones, due to which the bones can become weak.
Its glycemic index is very high, which causes sudden increase in sugar and problems like insulin resistance.
But this does not mean that you should give up flour completely. Ayurveda suggests some easy solutions. Taking lukewarm water and Triphala after eating flour cleans the intestines. Eating celery and black salt speeds up digestion.
Along with this, try to use multigrain flour, barley or ragi instead of flour.
–IANS
PIM/ABM