Food-  two sides of a coin 

Food can be poison and it can be medicine depending on how you consume it. , a National Post- Dr.  Shanaya Patel Doctoral Researcher, sheds some light on how food can be the biggest boon of your life or your worst enemy and how we, as Indians, have stopped giving enough importance to local foods and herbs.

There is no one set definition of what food is considered 'good'. There is good food for every mood, illness and problem. While some prefer to keep fit with a balanced Indian diet, some others trust in the science of counting macros and consume more ing protein and some others give up foods like wheat or refined sugar to stay fit. So, when it comes to food – one size truly does not fit all! 

While food has many facets, it is also safe to say that it is a boon and a bane both. Eating way too much junk food, consuming a large amount of refined flours and fried snacks may feel good and be comforting, but they do more damage to your body than you can imagine. At the same time, women suffering from PMS find solace in foods like dark chocolates that keep the hormones happy – it is actually recommended because it helps! 

For centuries, food has been our medicine in India. Ayurveda uses various ingredients, most of which are available in our kitchen, to cure small and big illnesses. Ginger for bloating, cumin or okra for constipation, curd-rice for an upset stomach, turmeric and ginger water for a cold and sore throat – we've all been privy to these homegrown methods. Sadly though, despite India being such a rich treasure chest of natural remedies and healthy foods, we are the West. Our ancestors have been using turmeric to ward off multiple ailments – from bruises to sore throat and much more, but it was only when some scientist in the USA confirmed that the curcumin found in turmeric root is beneficial to us. What we witnessed next was sadder – golden lattes and 'turmeric infused bliss balls' flooded Indian markets. The same can be said for Brahmi – a herb that has been clinically proven to make huge contributions in the treatment of neuro-endocrine tumours or Milk Thistle Seeds for that matter, which have been proven to show increasing improvement in the treatment of many cancers. This teaches us how it is time we take pride in our own food heritage and accept India for the land of miraculous herbs and concoctions it is.

Speaking of food as medicine, foods also have a placebo effect sometimes. Feeling better by eating chocolates during PMS is a great example of how foods sometimes work as a placebo medicine. The chocolate, in a way, does nothing much for that pain. But it makes you feel good and that acts as a placebo. This is also why someone, who suffers from clinical depression, may eat more than usual. Food becomes their placebo and makes them feel better. 

Another great thing about food is that it also works as a motivator, as an incentive. I have devoted my life to researching cancer and I have seen patients work harder to get better, just so they can eat their favourite foods. They breeze through the tough parts of the treatment because in their head when this is all over, they will finally get to eat what they like. Food is one of the things they look forward to when things get better. 

This, in no way, means that we should only eat healthy or we should only eat what comforts us. It helps to be more balance when consuming foods, whether healthy or junk.