COFFEE, TEA OR COCOA- WHO IS THE VILLAIN?

One common component in all the three stimulant beverage crops is caffeine which is present in different levels in the final product. While coffee and tea are consumed with or without milk, cocoa is invariably an adjunct to milk giving fine aroma, color and taste. Besides cocoa also is consumed after processing it into different types of chocolates by making finely ground cocoa mass which is blended with ingredients like sugar, milk, dry fruits and nuts and molded. Tons of published data eulogizes the goodness and health protecting properties of  green and black tea preparations. Same is true with cocoa also. But coffee is invariably depicted as a villain, barred for consumption by children, growing adults, expectant mothers, geriatric population and others affected by one or the other health disorders. Many ill effects have been attributed to coffee consumption and most of them do not stand strict scientific scrutiny but still continue to deter potential consumers from patronizing this refreshing beverage. Despite this, in America alone, on an average, more than 200 billion cups of coffee are consumed every year and Coffee chains like Starbucks, Barista, Cafe Coffee Day and others are still doing roaring business 

 

If caffeine is the causative factor, as being felt by many consumers, tea should be a greater villain as its leaves contain 2-4.4% caffeine on dry weight basis whereas coffee has only 1-2% caffeine. Of course in the final beverage caffeine can vary depending on brewing conditions and the brew strength achieved. But generally brewed coffee contains 75-150 mg of caffeine per 150 ml compared to 30 to 45 mg in light tea brew. Cocoa beverage has still lower caffeine content, about 30-35 mg. However, daily intake of tea beverage by many consumers is often more than that taken by coffee connoisseurs and as such caffeine may not be considered the determining factor in deriding coffee in favor of tea.

 

In order to put to rest any misgivings about the imagined ill effects consequent to regular consumption of coffee an international investigational endeavor was undertaken by the Centre for Science in Public Interest, USA and the results are indeed astonishing. The reported diuretic effect of coffee was debunked as up to 550 mg of caffeine do not increase the urine out put beyond the normal limits. Heart patients and hyper tension patients for whom coffee is generally forbidden, were not found to have any adverse effect by drinking coffee in more than 4 lakh subjects tested in 10 different studies. Linking coffee drinking with pancreatic cancer, first reported in 1981 by Harvard University scientists has also been conclusively disproved. Calcium mal absorption and calcium loss from the bones in coffee drinkers, as claimed by some, are also not true. The claim that coffee can aid weight control has not been found to be true though for every 100 mg caffeine intake an extra 100 calories of energy is burned in the body.

 

On the positive side coffee may yet turn out to be a hero, if some of the recent reports are taken into consideration. Colo-rectal, liver and breast cancers most commonly occurring to day seem to have an inverse relationship with coffee drinking, probably due to high levels of antioxidants present in roasted coffee. The life time risks for developing these cancers are considerably reduced by increased consumption of coffee as confirmed by studies using 60,323 subjects in the age group 25-75 over a period of 19 years. This is further confirmed by a Japanese study involving 90,000 subjects. A Norwegian study reported a strong negative association between coffee drinking and non-melanoma skin cancer. Similarly there are many reports supporting the beneficial role of coffee in affording protection against Type II diabetes, the Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.  

 

If even a part of what has been said about the benign nature of coffee is true, it is time the unjust image of a villain, imposed on coffee is removed from the minds of one and all and more consumers start enjoying this delicious beverage without any inhibition, experiencing the ability of this 'gift of the nature' crop to enhance the mood and boost mental and physical performance. The health advantage will be a bonus!
 

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/

JUNK FOODS-AN UNFAIR 'BRANDING'

Why is that some are known commonly as Junk foods while foods of almost same composition and sensory characteristics do not attract this negative image? The answer is, no one knows. It is believed that the term  originally used, more or less casually in 1972 by Mr Michael Jacobson of Center for Science and Public Health, got stuck and was picked up by many public interest NGOs for branding all those foods containing high sugar, fat and salt, with high visibility in the market shelves as Junk foods, ostensibly to promote consumption of more nutritious foods. The so called Junk foods, since then have been implicated as the villain in the modern day epidemics like obesity, diabetes and hyper tension amongst the population world over. It is unfair to single out some foods as junk while many others escape such a negative image. According to Websters Dictionary, junk is synonymous with rubbish, useless or worthless stuff and one can imagine the travesty of truth when some foods are branded junk ignoring their food value as edible materials.  

 

The pundits who propagate the concept of Junk foods use this term to describe a variety of food products, invariably high in sugar and low in nutritional value and the underlying assumption is that when these foods are consumed,  the extent of good foods containing high nutrient levels and their benefits are diluted. In this argument it is forgotten that the food industry makes these products to meet a demand already existing and by no means they can be blamed for the habits cultivated by the consumers in their own homes. No food except water can be described as without nutrition and whether it is sugar, fat or salt, all have definite roles to play in human nutrition. It is not the presence of a particular component which causes health problems but excessive consumption which causes undesirable consequences. Even 'Amrut', the heavenly elixir of Gods is considered a poison if consumed beyond a limit and same equally applies to any food also! If the logic of Junk foods is extended practically every food available in the market or public eateries has to be branded as junk food. Highly polished rice, maida devoid of fiber and germs, white sugar, hundreds of traditional fried snacks, almost all sweet meat items, the entire product range served in restaurants all end up in the 'junk' yard! 

 

The approach of Food Standards Agency in UK is commendable as they have created a separate category of foods under High Fat, Sugar, Salt (HFSS) group , resisting the temptation of using the populist term Junk foods and it is up to the consumer to decide whether to consume them or not depending on the individual health status. Besides HFSS branding does not discriminate based on the manufacturers as there are definite standards for foods coming under HFSS. The consumer mind is very fickle and based on improper, incomplete and illogical information undesirable impressions should not be created which is not good for either the industry or the consumers. A food is a food irrespective of what you call and whether it is good or bad for you depends your health status. A normal healthy person can eat all foods as long as it is adequate to meet the minimum RDA of the micro- and macro nutrients and with the industry putting on the label lot of information about the contents in a transparent manner, buying a food is no more the hide and seek game it used to be 2-3 decades ago. We can do without an 'apartheid' amongst foods, based on flimsy considerations.    
 

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/

'NON-VIOLENT' FOOD TECHNOLOGY- GANDHIAN APPROACH FEASIBLE?

India is celebrating Gandhi Jayanti to day, an occasion to recall the sacrifices this great soul made to liberate the country from colonial yolk and uphold the ideals propounded by him. Gautama Buddha and Mahavir Jain, the apostles of peace and ahimsa gave India a distinct cultural and philosophical foundation, which was put into practice by Mahatma Gandhi in the 20th century, showing the world the irrelevance of conflicts, arrogance and inhuman traits that afflict the modern society and how peace and non-violence can overcome all the ills that confront mankind. On this occasion it is worth while to consider whether the concept of non-violence can really be practiced when it comes to food production and processing.

Violent acts like slavery for enforced labor are things of the past and with ILO setting standards for labor management whether in agriculture or manufacturing, very little coercion is discernible in many parts of the world. But child labor, obviously of a forced nature, still continues in some regions in India, in spite of stringent laws on paper. In a civil society there is no place for committing atrocities by one person or a group of persons against others and gentle persuasion with patience can bring about changes in attitudes even amongst die-hard dissenters. At the same time the collective bargaining strength the unionized labor forces have should not be misused for violent actions, destruction of properties, anarchy, forceful dharnas and gheraos, harming the fellow workers and above all inconveniencing the common citizens through forceful bandhs. The recent lynching of a CEO of a multinational firm in Delhi cannot be condoned in this country of Buddha, Jain and Gandhi.

As for food technology it is a tool to convert any raw food into an edible form and to conserve the food for as long as possible for uniform availability. The debate about vegetarianism often centers around the need for killing animals while plenty of food is available in this planet and sky is the limit to increase production to meet every body's needs. Marvelous technology basket at the disposal of the mankind to day like high yielding seed materials, production enhancing methods, tissue culture, cell culture, genetic engineering and a host of others to cut down pre- and post harvest losses can ensure adequate food supply for one and all perpetually. The only hitch in converting the consumers of animal foods to shun such foods, is the ingrained habit cultivated since childhood and attachment to the unique texture and flavor provided by animal foods, whether meat, poultry or fish. The evolution of mankind is closely linked to the philosophy of survival of the fittest and man, being the most intelligent and cunning creature has had upper hand in the ladder of evolution. But in modern society, unlike the wild environments of ancient civilizations, man's future is not threatened by any other living creature except man himself !. The need for animal food therefore may not be justifiable as other alternate sources are easily available.

Contrary to the common impression prevalent to day, hardly 25% of population in India shun animal foods, remaining wanting to consume them if economic plight permits. Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and UP are dominated by vegetarian population, while in Kerala, Orissa and West Bengal 94% of the population consume animal foods. It may be difficult to convince life time consumers of animal foods to switch to complete vegetarian foods, in spite of the voluminous evidence that most animal foods tend to affect the heath adversely and production of animal foods is energy and input intensive. It takes more than 7 tons of food grains to get 1 ton of beef and cattle populations constitute one of the worst green house gas emitters polluting the environment. There are fish varieties like anchovies on the verge of exinction due to over fishing.

Animal slaughter to day is based on sound scientific principles, giving minimum discomfort to the animals though animal lovers do not concur with this claim. The stunning technology momentarily makes the animals feel practically no pain during subsequent processing. Still taking a life for satisfying an avoidable pecuniary pleasure might be conflicting with the maxim 'live and let live' which governs human behavior as far as fellow human beings are concerned. Is it possible to develop technologies that will avoid violence against animals but also will satisfy human hunger for nutritious animal foods? "In vitro meat", a new concept being touted as feasible approach to produce meat muscles in bio-reactors under controlled conditions holds some promise for future to avoid raising meat animals with all accompanying problems and the 2001 worldwide patent for a process to produce in vitro meat shows the way. At current costs it may not be economically viable but under mass production conditions the cost will come down dramatically. Of course live animals will still play a role in donating embryonic stem cells or specialized stem cells in the muscle tissues for initiating the production just like the inoculum in microbiological fermentation but they will not have to be slaughtered.

Soy protein and gluten based meat analogs marketed since last two decades still serve a purpose as poor man's meat since the cooker extrusion technology has been able to simulate the meat texture to a great extent. What is needed is further improvements in flavor to meet the taste expectations of connoisseurs of various meats like beef, mutton, pork and chicken. With millions of flavor and booster chemicals available to day the above task may be achievable within a relatively short time. Gandhi's dream of a non-violent world is still valid and the day may not be far off when man learns to respect the right for life for all creatures on earth.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/

NUTRIGENOMICS-SETTING NEW PARADIGM FOR NUTRITION

Prevalence of life style disorders like diabetes, heart ailments, hypertension and others have created enormous opportunities to innovating food technologists to work for the affected population in designing and developing newly engineered food products which can bring great relief to these unfortunate consumers, helping them to lead almost normal life. Nutritionists of yesteryears deserve all kudos for unraveling the basics of human nutrition during the last century and bringing out the connections between various micro nutrients and deficiency diseases. The multi billion food supplements and pharmaceutical industries are churning out literally hundreds of products to meet the challenges posed by nutrient stress conditions and ensure human well being.

 

It was a remarkable transition, in many parts of the world where affluence increased the affordability factor, from a nutrient-deficit to a nutrient-plenty situation which resulted in disorders like Type II diabetes, obesity and other afflictions linked to regular consumption of improper and imbalanced foods. The exact scientific causes that are responsible for these disorders are still not completely understood. With plethora of information, often contradictory in nature, available to the consumer, what foods are ideal for different ailments remain a matter of conjecture. Prevailing confusion is exploited by many commercial organizations to make unsustainable and tall claims for their foods in maintaining good health.

 

Nutrigenomics is a new emerging science that offers lot of hopes to future generations in understanding what foods are best for them based on genomic studies. It is a study of molecular relationship between nutrition and the response of genes. The interaction of nutrition and genetics is found to influence the choice of foods for each individual with distinct genetic make up. A disease like Alzheimer's is widely prevalent in USA, affecting 3.1% of its population and similarly the population in Southern India is reported to be most susceptible to heart diseases, probably indicating the role of genes in manifesting such diseases. World wide the food industry brings out hundreds of specialty health products, 54.9% being heart-health foods, 25.4% for diabetes and 19.7% for bone and joint health.  

 

The study of the effect of nutrients on the genome, proteome and metabolme forms the core agenda of Nutrigenomics. This naturally is causing a shift in the nutrition research from epidemiology and physiology to molecular biology and genetics. Nutrigenomics seeks to describe the patterns of effects of various food components on the genes, referred to as dietary signatures. Different diets elicit different patterns of gene and protein expression and metabolic production. It also seeks to study the influence of nutrition on homeostasis.

Diet is a determined by the specific demands of an individual's genetic signature which balances the micro and macro nutrient needs of that individual. It is a fact that diet is a critical factor in chronic diseases and has been found to be responsible for a third of all cancers. Dietary chemicals change the expression of one's genes and even the genome itself. "Eat right for your genotype" may well be the slogan within a decade's time.

 

It is in the realm of possibility that in the not too distant future, all an individual has to do is to send his blood sample to one of the many genomic laboratories expected to be established where it will be analyzed in a mass spectro photometer for the protein make up and cross referenced to his DNA profile. The results will be the basis for a recommended diet most suited to that person. A handful of such laboratories in USA are currently providing the service for genomic profiling and advice for nutritional supplements and it costs $1500 for getting a preventive health profile.

 

 

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/

WHAT IS THERE IN A 'SHAPE'?

Of course shape counts especially if you are in Karnataka, not in an aesthetic sense but for inviting the taxman to your door! It is amazing that the country is so much obsessed with taxation of the industry, both at the state and central levels that the larger and long term national interests are ignored. This culture has a chain effect, with the industry virtually coming to a stand still during the budget presentation every year, dreading the prospects of more financial burden for themselves as well as the consumers. True, excise duties are reduced or done away with for some time for some products but such action is more of a casual nature with no long lasting impacts on the price front. Repeated pleas from the industry as well as food technologists community to the governments to concede tax exemption for all food products for at least 10 years which would give sufficient time for building the processing sector into viable entity and some consolidation, have so far fallen on deaf ears. The nascent Indian food processing industry is singularly unfortunate in having administrative regimes, not responsive to the varied problems faced by them. It is not that governments do not know how to go about in supporting and boosting the business sector as reflected by the massive incentives being doled out to IT industry year after year which is responsible for the pre-eminence India enjoys to day in this field amongst the comity of nations. But some how their radar does not register other sectors like food processing for attention and action.

 

The provocation for this piece of critique is the tussle between TTK Healthcare and Karnataka government on Value Added Tax (VAT) to be imposed on Fryum, a dried product ready for frying and making a snack. The government appears to be aggressively fighting with the manufacturer, firm on its stand that Fryum is not like a papad but a different product because it is not 'circular', flat and thin in shape and appearance. Therefore it wants to collect 12.5% VAT, not prepared to entertain exemption under Entry 40 of the First Schedule of Karnataka Vat Act which grants tax free status to papads and similar products. Strangely the High Court concurred with the stand of the state without any technical consultation with experts which now is being challenged in the Supreme Court. It is a tragedy for a country like India that judicial system meant to bring succor to the common man is being used to burden the consumer with more taxes and higher product prices. There are millions of cases, mostly civil, pending since last two decades for which the judiciary could have paid more attention bringing relief to the litigants in stead of frittering away its energy on such silly cases. This action by the government is doubly obnoxious considering that the Apex Court had already ruled earlier in the Gold Finger product marketed by Shivsakthi company, that shape was not a criterion for interpreting taxation rules.   

 

Examining the case further one cannot escape from the conclusion that the state has erred in pursuing the case further expending public funds, benefiting a few lawyers and its own babus in the process. Assuming that the case is won, the tax so collected will be a peanut compared to the cost of this misadventure while consumer will have to shell out at least 12.5% more to buy the product in the market. If this trend is allowed to continue, the industry in Karnataka will have to pay a heavy price for future innovations, knowing well the attitude of the state administration. If some one produces a square, rectangular, triangular or thick papad, same fate awaits them also. In stead of hand rolled papad, if machine made papads using laminar or extrusion sheeting or pressing technology are marketed, they also will have to face the consequences. Why such a simple common sense does not percolate down the sarkari babudom is beyond comprehension. Situations like this, if allowed to continue, can create a 'Singur' syndrome as being faced by Tata's Nano car project in West Bengal leading to exodus by many of the established food companies from Karnataka.

 

It is time for Government of India to make a bold declaration that all foods would be exempted from all taxes for 10 years through consensus with states through a policy frame work not disturbed by succeeding governments in future. Redemption of Indian food sector is assured only if such a change in mindset takes place. No glossy reports, no mega parks, no SEZs, no cash dole outs, no platitudes, no back slapping, no incentive schemes and no platform declarations can do what a long term tax exemption policy can achieve within a short period.

 

 

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/

HOW ABOUT ENERGY FROM THE SEA?

It may appear ludicrous to look at the sea as a source of renewable energy as it is associated more with Tsunami and frolicking beaches. Sea is also the ultimate resting place for many big rivers as well as final destination of industrial and domestic effluents, treated or not. The faster melting of polar ice burgs due to global warming is predicted to cause a rise in the sea level significantly submerging many coastal areas permanently shrinking overall the land mass in not too distant future. Some geologists even predict submerging of many coastal towns in India by 2020!  Doomsday predictions apart, the vast coast line in India can still be 'farmed' for energy harvesting to supplement the power needs of the country by systematic investments.

 

Portugal is considered the leader in harnessing energy from the sea and its first commercial scale wave power station is expected to go on stream soon. Sufficient electricity is anticipated to be generated, adequate for 1000 homes. The technology is simple converting the wave motion into electricity. Companies like Pelamis of Scotland are offering 2.25 MW plants with three generators each, sufficient for 1500 homes. 25 such plants can generate 21 MW of power which conventionally, if fossil fuel is used, would have caused emission of 60000 tons of CO2, the most dangerous green house gas responsible for adverse climatic changes being felt now. The plant in Agucadoura in northern Portugal consists of 140 meters of plastic tubes with 3.5 meter diameter floating 3 miles from the coast with 3 cylindrical wave energy converters made up of 700 tons of carbon steel  The wave motions produce electricity through a 'hinges and hydraulic ram' system which is fed into a sub station on the land, through underwater cables and integrated with the power grid. Portuguese is planning to raise the share of power from renewable energy sources from 20% currently to 60% by 2020. Though government is subsidizing the program by assured buying of the power for the national grid @ 25 cents per kWh, it is a worth while long term investment considering the multifaceted advantages inherent in this visionary effort.

 

The potential for wave energy in India is very high considering that it has a coastal area of 7517 km and 1197 islands, most of then uninhabited. Locating the wave generators at regular intervals on the coast, avoiding big ports and harbors and major fishing centers can produce sufficient energy to meet the needs of millions of house holds at least near the coastal areas with minimum investments on distribution. There can even be SEZs and food parks with lower power requirements that can be located in coastal areas as they can capitalize the investments  on wave energy projects and meet a major part of their power needs from the sea nearby.  
 

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/

SPIRITS, SPIRITUALITY AND BUSINESS

Alcohol consumption is increasingly becoming popular in the country, in spite of these products being highly taxed in the hands of the governments. The ostensible reason for high taxes is attributed to governments 'desire' to curb consumption as it is considered a social evil as far as poor people are concerned and many deaths occurring with sickening regularity in different parts of the country due to consumption of illicit brooch, often unsafe and adulterated, due to the mismatch in the prices of 'lawful' liquor and its 'under ground' cousin. In contrast drinking amongst rich and the influential is considered fashionable and imperative for social networking and business promotion. One of the most flourishing industries in the country is liquor business monopolized by political and well connected classes who have the knack and wherewithal to wangle out lucrative licenses for operating liquor outlets like bars, parlors etc from the government. Of course alcohol in moderate quantities have positive effect on the health while over doses can damage the liver, especially when the consumers are nutrition stressed.

The lure for alcohol drives the industry to greater heights and most of the global liquor making and marketing giants have successful operations in India. The Indian liquor Barron Vijay Mallya is one of world's most successful industrialists who has used his financial clout to diversify into other areas like civil aviation with remarkable success. The present thinking to de-license vending of beers and wines will see further boost to this industry in the coming years. The relatively low per capita consumption of alcohol in the country at present offers further opportunities to the industry to look for dramatic growth ahead. India ranks 150th in per capita alcohol consumption with about 0.86 liter per year while Uganda tops the list with 19 liters!

There is a widespread impression that in order to be successful in business, alcohol has an inevitable role. Also being said is that drinking buddies have greater and stronger kinship. Business and other deals are more easily sealed over pegs of this inebriating drink, is also a prevalent view amongst the layman. But contrary to this impression is the revelation of a survey conducted by Assocham, the eminent body of business people, which
brought out the fact that majority of employers prefer to recruit teetotalers for their organizations. They feel that teetotalers are generally more efficient and productive while intake of alcoholic beverages adversely affect the efficiency, productivity and punctuality. Teetotalers of both sexes are highly prolific, creative and fastidious in work, achieving the targets set for them but they do not have the necessary rapport to strike business deals. Probably teetotalers who enter a company climbs the ladder with tremendous work out put and at a certain stage there could be transformation as responsible senior management professionals into alcohol-tolerant, though not necessarily alcohol-loving, go getter for the sake of the company. What is missing from the data is how many CEOs, with high business performances at stake, are teetotalers; probably very few!

Spirituality, the very anti-thesis of alcohol culture involves a whole series of activities centering around controlling of the mind to attain greater performance levels through practices like yoga, meditation, etc. There are many companies promoting this approach to ensure serenity, composure, patience and perseverance that are needed for business promotion through constructive dialogs and engagements. Many institutions offering condensed courses in yoga and meditation have senior management professionals from the business enrolled regularly reflecting the growing importance of this practice for better performance and employee heath.

In a lighter vein spirits and spirituality converge when one is intoxicated by too much of alcohol because the mind and body become supine, edging out all tensions and worries! This should not be construed, by any stretch of imagination as an endorsement for binging on alcohol. On the other hand one must realize that effect of alchol has an incremental negative health impact while spirituality will have an incremental positive effect on health and quality of life for the practioners.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/