Indian superfoods by Rujuta Diwekar

"Indian superfoods" by Rujuta Diwekar. This book is published by Juggernaut in 2016 and has 200 pages.

At the onset author provides her definition of superfood. It's the food that grows in your area, is rich in micro nutrients, every part of plant can be used in unique way, encourages diversity in diet, leads to a sustainable lifestyle. 

1. Ghee - the fat burner: it's a short chain fatty acid (SCFA) that breaks down fat and reduces glycemic index of food. It's most potent antioxidant on earth. 3-5 tsp a day is good start. She has given a stepwise procedure to make ghee.
2. Kokum - the natural antacid: It's grandma's go-to herb to cure acidity, bloating and flatulence. Ayurveda celebrates Kokum for its ability to regulate menses and to protect the heart. The ORAC (anti oxidant score) of Kokum is very high. 
3. Banana - the recharger: It has potassium, vitamin B6 and has low to medium glycemic index. It's a natural tiny packet of performance enhancing nutrients. Banana is the best snack any time of the day. She praises Sukeli (sun dried banana) the most as delicacy and immunity booster.
4. Kaju - the antidepressant: it has amino acids, minerals and vitamins. She gives her recipe of Cashew milk. 
5. Ambadi - the stomach soother: Rich in folic acid and iron, easy to digest and cook and no side effects.
6. Rice - the grain that sustains: Ayurveda celebrates rice as a symbol of health, wealth and prosperity. She rubbishes that rice should be taken off your plate when you turn diabetic. She also warns against removing water from rice. 
7. Coconut - the calmer: The coconut is divine. They contain magical medium chain triglycerides (MCT). It helps in myelination. 
8. Aliv - the beauty pill: Ayurveda recognizes Aliv as an important part of the post-partum diet. In Africa it's regarded as natural aphrodisiac. It has estrogenic properties, rich micronutrients and cancer protecting abilities. 
9. Jackfruit - the fertility booster: It is national fruit of Bangladesh and is carotene & anthocyanin rich and has antioxidant properties. It is a vegan, gluten free proton alternative to meat. It can help improve your insulin sensitivity. 
10. Sugar - the antiageing secret: Sharkara is mentioned in Rig Veda, Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. She says that sugercane sugar is not the same as beet sugar or HFCS (High fructose corn syrup). Sugarcane has glycolic acid used in cosmetics. 

Rujuta has given myth busters for each of the superfood in the tabular format of 'Fact Vs Fiction'. She also provides 'How to eat' guidelines. In this section she does not talk just about one product but all the products of that particular plant. These two sections are vital. This format makes immediate impact and summarizes the superfood.

Rujuta is a staunch supporter of local produce and food habits. She also scorns the foreign 'experts' and MNCs who package things that are of little use as healthy, influence masses and get rich. Her writing also has a flavor of 'Swadeshi'. Some of the sentences are even populist. She criticizes Indian schools for not teaching about local foods and micronutrients in it and government for not having policies for local food.

She also provides nuggets of information. USFDA admitted in 2015 that there's no link between cholesterol and heart decease. NICE (UK health guidelines) officially removed omega 3 as a nutrient that helps heart health in 2014. Kokam and jackfruit are in the NUS (Neglected and underutilized species) of UNFAO (United nations food and agriculture organization).

Most of these superfoods are native of Kokan, costal region of the state of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa. Rujuta's family hails from this region. Thus these superfoods seem to be close to her heart. 

The recurrent theme of the book is that the traditional food habits with locally produced good content are proven and have stood the test of time over generations. Don't' disturb them by coming under influence of some foreign expert who advises against it and retracts it after few years. 

She, however, has given wide birth to two important aspects and their impact on health. 

1. Non organic food. 
2. Artificial ripening of fruits. 

Why did I read this book? Recommended by wife. 

What I didn't like? She could have listed dishes made from the superfood in various states. 

What did I like? Knowledge. Author's conviction. 

A very good book. Must read.