Corn quer the world 

This story started in America not long ago; but just ten years back. Two youngsters Ian Cheney and Curtis Ellis decide to do take charge of their life after finishing formal education. But at the same time they came across news saying “Their generation will be first in the American history which will have shorter life span than their ancestors and the reason behind this was the food they were eating”. They go to a scientist to confirm the authenticity of that news. The scientist examines their hairs in high tech machinery and tells them that the carbon atom in their hairs is derived from corn. They get surprised by the presence of corn in hair and decide to find out how corn has entered in their systems. They decide to cultivate corn in an acre of land in Iowa which is considered as corn capital of America. The documentary film based on their research is “King corn”. This 80 minutes documentary makes you laugh, asks some disturbing questions and at the end makes you feel depressed. It created a sensation in America. The Washington Post said that the documentary ought to be a “required viewing by anyone planning to visit a supermarket, fast-food joint, or their own refrigerator.” It is better to watch the original movie than I narrate the story. 

Somebody will say it happened in America why Indians should bother about it ? Let’s go through some statistics. India is 10th in the list of highest corn growing country. In India maize is the third most important crop after rice and wheat. As per experts soon it will take the second place. That means maize has left behind Jowar (Sorghum) and Bajra (Pearl millet) in the competition. Maize production in India is growing at a highest speed than any other crop. You might feel we people hardly eat corn then why the hell it is produced so much ? 49 % of the maize produced in India used to prepare poultry feed, 12 % for production of cattle feed, 13 % used for production of starch for garment industries rest 25 % used for human consumption. Out of this 25 % mostly used for production of processed food. 

Those who think we eat corn once in a while; should take a look at this list. You will find these food items in menu card of any restaurant in any city of India. Baby corn, Sweet corn soup, Corn Patties, Corn Flakes, Masala corn, Makke ki roti, Corn Pulav, Corn Cheese balls, Corn Chat, Corn Sandwitch, Corn Kabab, Corn Cheese toast, Corn Schezwan fried rice,Sweet corn Kheer, Popcorn. Our youngsters are regularly eating these beverages. This is about direct intake of corn. 

Now take a look at indirect consumption of corn. Slice bread, Biscuits, Cookies, Cakes, Tomato Ketchup, Ready to eat soups, Jams, Jelly, Nutrition bar, Ice cream, Flavored Yogurt, Salad dressing, Pizza base, Peanut butter all these food items contain corn either in the form of Corn starch or High fructose corn sugar (HFCS).

HFCS – sweet poison

Aerated cold drinks, Soda, Energy drinks, so called natural canned fruit juices mainly contain HFCS as a sweetener instead of table sugar. There has been a substantial decrease in consumption of table sugar by Americans in last 30 years. Still there is a steady increase in patients of Diabetes, Obesity and Liver disease. Most of the scientists blame HFCS for these health issues. The fact is HFCS is more dangerous than sugar. But still it is freely used in food industry as it is cheaper than sugar. People who eat high fructose feel less full so they eat more which results in Obesity. If the high fructose consumed is not utilized in the body it tends to deposit in the form of fat in the liver. Some scientists believe that HFCS is a cause for Cancer of pancreas. So now US FDA has asked people to limit the intake of beverages having HFCS. 

Corn Flakes – Healthy breakfast 

Breakfast is not essentially Indian concept. Ayurved is doesn’t advocate breakfast in daily routine except winters. American started to realize the ill effects of corn in the early 90s. So they focused on its export. It was the same time when corn flakes entered in Indian market. Corn that was used for rapid weight gain in cattle and pigs was marketed as healthy breakfast promoting weight loss in India. It is hard to understand corn that induces weight gain in pig helps human to lose weight. But you can sell anything in India easily especially if is it is promoted by America. Corn flakes have a substantial amount of sugar in the form HFCS. Whatever carbohydrate you eat it is converted to glucose at the end. Glycemic index (GI) is a ranking system for carbohydrates based on their immediate effect on blood glucose levels. People are cursing rice due to high GI assuming it a cause for diabetes. Truth is 60 is the GI of rice and GI of corn flakes is 81. Is it a really healthy breakfast ? One bowl of corn flakes contains more salt than a packet of potato chips. Corn flakes are eaten with milk. Ayurved says that one should not mix salty food with milk as it is an incompatible diet.

Grow fast but don’t last

We have already seen than 49 % of the corn produced in India is used for Poultry feed and 12 % for cattle feed. Consumption of high amount of starch in corn leads to rapid weight gain in these animals which makes them obese and inactive. These cattle are then given high doses of antibiotics so that they should not fall sick. As much as 70 % of antibiotic sold in America is used for these animals. Then too they can hardly survive up to six months so they are slaughtered at young age. Cattle eating grass has 1.5 % of saturated fat in blood while corn fed cattle has 9 % saturated fat in the blood. So this meat is not healthy at all.

Svadeshi Movement

Let us discuss about nutritional value of corn. 100 gm corn gives 342 Kcal energy. It has 10 mg of calcium and 2.3 mg of iron. While 100 gm of Jowar (Sorghum) gives 349 Kcal energy; it has 25mg calcium and 4.1 gm of iron. At the same time Bajra (Pearl millet) gives 361 K cal energy and it has 42 mg calcium and 8 mg of iron. Ragi (Finger Millet) has 344 mg calcium per 100 gm. That means desi grains are far ahead of corn if you compare nutritive value. This information is collected from official website of “National Institute of Nutrition’ Hydrabad” so it is authentic. That means government is well aware about nutritive value of these desi grains. Then why are we still running after corn ? 

In 1970 America dreamed to cor(n)quer world with corn. What is the result ? There is no point in following anybody blindly. Ayurved says that “Whole world is a teacher for an intelligent person.” But it is up to us to decide which lesson we want to learn. I think rather than thinking about cor(n)quer the world; its better we start thinking about our health first. No doubt there is a lot to learn from America like their inquisitive nature; consistent hard work in order to find solution of the problem. If we don’t change our focus one day even Indians will corn in their hairs.

© Dr Pushkar Puruhottam Wagh

MD (Ayurved)

Ayush Ayueved Clinic,

A - 5, Palm View, RX -37,

 MIDC, Dombivli (East)

9224349827

drpushkarwagh@gmail.com 

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