Madhur Kotharay On Superfoods, Modern Medicine & Diet Trends – Slurrp

The wellness industry discovers and rediscovers superfoods every couple of months. While any foods the West classifies as superfoods have long been humble Indian staples, it is important to delineate superfood from super hype.

How did this book come about? What was the inspiration behind writing this?

Most people fall into two categories: Those who believe the ‘food-be-thy-medicine’ talk is hyperbole at the other extreme, claim that anything ‘natural’ is the panacea.

What both sides fail to recognise is that modern medicine and superfoods are complementary, not conflicting, this book aims to educate people about this by offering an objective exploration of the power of Indian superfoods.

Every year, there is a ‘new superfood’ trending. Why is that? What is the reason for this quest behind superfoods?

Most of the superfoods you mention from tomatoes to spinach and carrots are staples of many Indian Kitchens, did we know a thing or two about holistic foods all along?

Any superfood that has passed the test of time has to have merits.

Traditional foods like moringa, amla and jamun are of Indian origin. Their health properties are mentioned in Ayurvedic textbooks written centuries ago, which shows that our ancestors had an empirical understanding of what modern science is discovering now.

What were the facts that surprised you while you were writing the book?

For example, the jamboline in jamun, curcumin in turmeric, lycopene in tomatoes, gingerols in ginger, EGCG in green tea and betalain in beets pack a health punch far beyond their vitamins and minerals possibly can.

Today as more and more Indians are on the move, working or ordering online, how does one ensure that our diets and our foods are healthy?

I don’t have a simple answer for this. While travelling in urban India, I’ve found it challenging to access good quality food, except in 5-star hotels. My choice, which might not suit everyone, is to carry natural supplements to obtain similar nutrients.

Healthy food is far more expensive than cheap, junk food. So, it’s wise to apportion a larger portion of your budget to food. I believe “it is better to have a pristine heart and a rickety car than the other way round.”

We must educate ourselves about why and which foods play a pivotal role in our health, and then, make an effort to consume more of them in our diet whenever possible. 

Food and disease are intrinsically linked; how can good food stop bad health?

Many lifestyle-related disorders, like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, fragile bones (osteoporosis), arthritis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease and even some autoimmune conditions, are often triggered, nurtured or worsened by oxidative stress and inflammation. 

Ills of modern lifestyle, such as stress, inadequate sleep, lack of exercise and processed foods, increase oxidative stress and inflammation, causing an early onset of degenerative diseases and ageing.

The highly potent phytonutrients in superfoods act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. They can prevent or delay the onset of many diseases, slow their progress and, occasionally, offer remission.

What was the most challenging aspect of bringing this book out?

How can one incorporate the superfoods you mention in their daily lives?

The first step is awareness. You need to know that sabja (sweet basil leaves) is not only a falooda ingredient but also a good digestive aid.

The second is to develop strategies that you can incorporate over the long term, not just a few months. Consuming spinach soup every day is not a sustainable option; rotating different foods is a more viable choice.

Here is an example: Below is one of the two pages that summarise the health benefits of various nutrients.

One fact you would like to share with our readers regarding health and superfoods?

Many people start thinking about their health only when something goes wrong. After all, modern medicine is quite capable. However, any renowned doctor will tell you that prevention is far easier than treatment. 

Preventive strategies should begin in your 20s, and not 40s or 50s. Some disorders take 10-20 years to take root, such as Alzheimer’s or diabetes and once they set in, they are difficult to stop. Superfoods can only slow their inexorable march after that.

Therefore, a vital wellness mantra is consistently pushing back on oxidative stress and inflammation. Consuming superfoods is your most powerful tool to achieve this.