most South Indian families, except that, previous day’s cooked rice that was soaked in plain water the previous
night was consumed the next day morning with some nutritious supplements such as fresh buttermilk, slightly-salted
onions or other non-spicy pickles such as goose berry or lemon. This is an excellent, rich and the most nutritious
food. This is known as ” Pazhaya Saadham” (meaning old rice) in Tamil and “Saddhi Annamu” or “Saddhennamu” (meaning
cold rice) in Telugu.
An American Nutritionist, dietitian and scientist had researched on the food practices among various regions in the
world and concluded that the South Indian tradition of consuming the previous day’s cooked rice soaked in plain
water overnight, in the morning next day, as break-fast, is the best.
For centuries, this has been the staple food of many South Indian families, particularly of the low income groups.
It is, of course, now replaced with fashionable hot break-fast.
It is found out that previous day’s cooked rice soaked in plain water is very compact and complete break-fast. It
has the rare B6 B12 vitamins which are not otherwise easily available in other food supplements. This rice generates
and harbours trillions of beneficial bacteria that help digestion and has many disease fighting and immunity
developing agents. The bacteria that grow in the intestines due to this rice safeguard the internal organs and keep
all organs battle fit and ready. Consuming this rice helps quicker digestion and wards off ageing, bone related
ailments and muscular pains.
It is worth giving a try. The cooked rice can be soaked in an earthen vessel or vessels made of natural clay or
rock. (In Tamil families, vessels made of natural rock, called as “Kalchatti” was used. Many South Indian families
also use this even now though it is called by different names in other languages. Some families use this
“Kalchatti” that is handed down to them since generations even. It is found to be free from harmful bacteria and
other normal disease causing harmful elements.
Brown rice is the best for this as its nutrients are retained intact.
You will be happy to know that the American Nutritionist had listed the following benefits that accrue to the body
if you stick to the practice of consuming such soaked rice.
1. Consuming this rice as break-fast keeps the body light and
also energetic.
2. Beneficial bacteria gets produced in abundance for the
body.
3. Stomach ailments disappear when this is consumed in the
morning, as, excessive and harmful heat retained in the
body is neutralized.
4. As this food is very fibrous, it removes constipation and also dullness in the body.
5. Blood pressure is normalised and hypertension subsides appreciably.
6. Body feels less tired due to this food as a result of which
one feels fresh through out the day.
7. This removes allergy induced problems and also skin
related ailments.
8. It removes all types of ulcers in the body.
9. Fresh infections are kept at bay due to consuming this rice.
10. It helps in maintaining youthful and radiant look.
Once you consume this, the body does not crave for tea or coffee. In the olden days, people who worked in the fields
used to leave their houses in the early morning after consuming this soaked rice and worked hard for over 8 to 10
hours non-stop.
Dear Friends and wellwishers,
In fact one கனபாடிகள் said that it is the staple food students have before they begin the வேத பாராயணம் for the
day to provide the required nourishment and also offset the body heat generated during full throated chanting.
Take off with Natarajan 