In Odia, pakhala refers to “washed/fermented rice.” In various Indian states, the same fermented rice goes under different names. In the past, middle-class or impoverished households would eat pakhala, but as people became aware of its nutritional benefits, it became a staple in many Odisha eateries.
Everyone in today’s lifestyle is reliant on pills and fake probiotics. Many believe that adopting a certain diet, such as paleo, vegan, or keto, can enhance their health. However, it won’t since the human body isn’t built for a certain diet. Ayurveda says that one should eat in accordance with the time of year and place. People are hurting their gut health by growing harmful bacteria and decreasing beneficial bacteria as a result of consuming more packaged and processed meals these days. Antibiotics are often used without a prescription when someone has a fever, but they help cleanse the healthy bacteria in addition to eliminating the harmful ones. Leaky gut and associated problems are eventually caused by a decrease in beneficial microorganisms. This is the point at which fermented food becomes relevant.
What, therefore, makes Pakhala rice special and nourishing? Because pakhala is a resistant starch, it bypasses the small intestine’s digestive process and travels straight to the colon, or big intestine, where it feeds and multiplies healthy bacteria to gradually improve gut health. Pakhala is the ideal meal to battle the summer heat because of the “Torani” water, which is used to soak the rice and has a cooling effect on the body. Now let’s explore the advantages.
Health Benefits Of Pakhala
- Promotes weight loss: 50–60% less calories are found in pakhala, or fermented rice, than in cooked rice. The rice takes on a different condition and atmosphere when it is let to soak in water in an earthen clay pot overnight. Make it a part of your everyday diet if you are struggling with obesity or weight reduction.
- Has cooling properties: When the body overheats from consuming too many acidic or spicy meals, fermented rice might aid in cooling it down. To receive the cooling effect of the Torani water included in pakhala rice, it must be consumed towards the conclusion of the meal. It is therefore the ideal dish to have in the summer.
- Helps in digestion: Plenty of beneficial bacteria may be found in fermented rice, making it a natural probiotic. We always want for fast recipes and neglect to take natural probiotics in today’s hectic society. If you moderately take large amounts of natural probiotics, your health will be at its best. Eating pakhala promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the stomach, which in turn enhances the condition of the colon, or large intestine, which facilitates easy bowel movements. Ghee can be added to pakhala rice to get quicker results.
