Dark side of the white flour-Maida

Pages: 100-105
S. Ganga, P.M. Mathiyoli, and K.P. Naachimuthu (Department of Psychology, PSG College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu)

Food, which was once a survival need, now transformed into a material of lavishness and comfort. Both the food & food industry underwent drastic changes in the past few decades and the ecological, social, psychological, economical and biological impact it brought about is devastating. All this started when humans got struck in a luxury trap; a trap which is called Wheat in its changed appearance which is widely consumed in the form of refined flour (otherwise called Maida). Maida a waste introduced in the diet of human beings only a few centuries ago managed to evolve into a billion dollar industry and made a permanent mark in the lifestyle of human beings. But the physiological, psychological and ecological impacts caused by this waste already have an adverse effect on the current generations and will definitely take a toll on the generations to come. Despite knowing the damage caused by this waste, no strong action was taken for it, till date. Maida has become a perfect example of self destructing and invasive product to human beings. Still the Homo sapiens have a chance to save themselves from this disaster by changing their existing pattern of life/food habits. The present paper thus discusses the physiological, psychological and ecological impacts of this anthropogenic unhealthy food habits.

Keywords: Maida, refined white flour, gluten factor

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15614/IJHW.v11i01.20