Frequent use of dried food can lead to Cancer: Medicos

Next time you prefer to eat dried vegetables and smoked fish, think again as by doing so you may be increasing the risk of cancer and other dreadful diseases.

Though the centuries old tradition of relishing dried vegetables, smoked fish and wild herbs to survive during the extreme winter is still prevalent in Kashmiris but the doctors and dietitians cry hoarse about its ‘harmful effects’. Head of Department (HOD) Radiation Oncology at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Dr Maqbool Lone said the way we dry the vegetables can be hazadourous to health. “So far smoked fish is concerned that is definitely harmful for health. As far as dried vegetables are concerned, the way we dry them is the concern because lot of fungus get accumulated on it that can lead to cancer,” says Dr Maqbool.

He further said that the dried vegetables have less nutrient value. “Green vegetables have lot of intoxicants and nutrients which protect us from cancer but when we dry them the food value decreases and people who are eating them they intake less intoxicants leading to serious health concerns,” said Dr Maqbool Lone

A number of sun-dried vegetables such as tomatoes, turnip, brinjals, gourd, lotus fruits, green beans and red chillies are sold in markets as well as are sun dried in most of the Kashmir homes during summers to prepare for the harsh winters. Special to winter cuisine in the Valley is smoked fish known locally as ‘farrigad’ and dried fish called ‘hokhegad’. “See from ages our forefathers used to dry vegetables and eat them during winter’s .We are also following the same tradition. They prefer these foods and have less diseases then what we are experiencing in present days. I don’t think dried foods have any harmful effects, “says Ghulam Qadir of downtown Srinagar.

But medicos raise a brow, “who told you they didn’t have problems the thing is that they hardly got diagnosed. Now people are getting diagnosed. And secondly there  is no established research that can indicate that dried vegetables can lead to cancer  but use of preservatives and drying them wrongly can lead to  cancer,” said HOD Radiation Oncology at SKIMS Dr Maqbool Lone.

Despite the availability of fresh vegetables in the market people prefer to eat dried vegetables and beverages than fresh food. “We want to keep our tradition alive. If you don’t eat dried vegetables in Kashmir in winters then you are missing something. My son lives abroad and every time he comes here he takes along a variety of dried foods. They have a unique and different taste,” said Aminan Jan of Baramulla.

Many rural homes still have their small poultries and those living closer to water bodies have small flocks of ducks and swans.The magic of the ‘shab deg’ still brings back excitement and thrill among the older generations of Kashmiris.

Even fruits like pears are dried and cooked during the winter months. Kashmiri children, however, like dried pear slices called ‘tang hache’ raw and eat them like normal fruits.

Meanwhile, doctor Nisar-ul-Hassan while talking he said here in Kashmir dried food is not properly refrigerated. “Any food which is not preserved properly and kept for long time is carcinogenic and can lead to multiple infections. With the growing number of cancers, food is definitely one of the key factors that are affecting our lifestyle,” Nisar said.