Hyderabad: Amidst the controversy over lifting the 55-year-old ban on Kesari dal city nutritionists said that 25 grams of this dal in combination with other dals is good for health.
The National Institute of Nutrition conducted a study on this dal in 2014 and found that the consumption of grass pea or Kesari dal in small quantities in combination with other dals was safe and does not cause motor neuron problems.
The study conducted by scientist Arjun Khangare in 2014 shows that the harmful effects are dependant on the quantity consumed. Methods of cooking is also a cause for concern. Mr Khangare pointed out that consumption of 25 grams of dal daily does not lead to neruolathyrism or paralysis of the lower limbs.
Compared to other available dals, Kesari dal has 31 per cent protein, 41 per cent carbohydrate and 17 per cent fibre. Nutritionist Dr Janaki Srinath said, “Due to the shortage of dals in the country it is important to understand that this dal is high in protein and fibre which will add nutritional value to the food. It must be cooked properly. But at the same time, it must not be cooked alone and consumed for a long period of time”"
It is important to understand that the dal can be a part of a normal meal where there are food combinations on the table. Recent studies have also shown that the dal is a functional food as it has a chemical called homo-arginine which is a normal dilator of arteries and works as a vascular dilator, explained nutritonist Madhureema Sen.
Back in 1961, Kesari dal was consumed in large quantities alone due to which there were problems of lower limb paralysis in some sections of the population. In its recommendations to the Centre, the Indian Council of Medical Research has noted that people have to be educated about consumption in small quantities to avoid toxicity. As the neurotoxins being inversely proportional to soil moisture toxins are found to increase when there is drought. But when there is moisture in the soil the toxin effects will be less which makes it fit for use consumption.
