Sangom Ji,
The ingredient recommended in the recipe is maida and you are right.
Here is a word of caution.
Such mouth-watering parottas may tempt one, but one should not fall prey. Look what Doctors say in the interest of our good health:
Parottas loaded with danger, say docs
‘Bleaching products used for processing maida are toxic to pancreas which secretes insulin’
Parotta is a popular evening meal it itself at many a home. Be it adults or children, everybody loves gorging on parottas.
Every family has a favourite paraotta stall among the many in their neighbour hood. The large number of parotta stalls and the demand for ‘parotta masters’ in the city points to the prominence of parotta in the diet of Madurai residents.
However, there is a word of caution for parotta lovers. Leading cardiologists in Madurai say it may be a mouth-watering dish but at the same time it also damages heart. The heart of the matter lies in the ‘maida’ which is said to be a wreak havoc on a healthy heart.
At a time when cardiac arrest and other heart diseases and diabetes are threatening the productive young population, these experts point to some hard truths about the fluffy and soft food stuff which arouses the taste buds but hinders the health condition of eaters.
“Parotta contains the purest form of carbohydrates and the maida flour with which it is prepared is an enemy to your heart. Eating it amounts to depositing fats and cholesterol straight into your body,” says R. Raghunathan, Head, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), here.
The colour of maida flour may look fair and fine when compared to wheat flour, but the process involved in its preparation shows how dangerous it is for vital organs such as heart and pancreas.
A. Madhavan, senior interventional cardiologist at Apollo Speciality Hospitals, who is also a Fellow of heart specialists certified by the Geneva-based World Heart Federation, says a chemical called alloxan, which gives the softness to maida flour could lead to diabetes and thereby cause heart problems in the long run.
“Majority of the people prefer parotta for its taste. But, remember that alloxan is dangerous to pancreas which regulates glucose/sugar in our body. It is advisable not to get bowled over by the taste alone. One must bear in mind the chemicals present in maida flour,” he cautions.
Bleaching products used for processing maida are toxic to pancreas which secretes insulin. The bleaching agents present in maida are used to produce diabetes in rodents and animals when tested in the laboratories.
Dr.Madhavan says it is high time Madurai’s obsession with parotta came to an end in view of increasing instances of child obesity, hypertension, early diabetes and heart attacks. “I think we can do a ‘Maida study in Madurai’ to come out with findings. Those who are regular parotta eaters and those who keep away from them can be studied,” he said.
Chief of Department of Cardiology at the GRH, R.A.Janarthanan, too joins in the campaign against parotta in view of its threat to heart.
“Lifestyle changes and mental stress are taking a heavy toll on our youngsters as many aged between 30 and 40 years are becoming heart patients. In such a case, the food we eat matters a lot and parotta is not good,” he says.
Read more at:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/parottas-loaded-with-danger-say-docs/article5014841.ece