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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