Many people use cooking vessels made of Aluminium or Hindalium
(Alloy of Aluminium, Magnesium, Manganese, Chromium and Silicon etc.) for
cooking food. Cooking food in such vessels is harmful for health.
When such vessels are used for 5 years or more, the
harmful effects start becoming visible. Important aspects in this regard are
given ahead.
Keep in mind the harmful effects of cooking in Aluminium & Hindalium vessels !
1. Reasons for these metals being harmful for health
A. Various diseases are caused due to minute particles
(ions) of these metals entering the body
Even if a steel spoon is brushed with force against Aluminium
vessels, minute particles of Aluminium will appear as residue.
When food cooked in these vessels is consumed, these
particles enter the body through the food. On an average, 5 milligrams of
aluminium is consumed everyday through food.
B. Ions in the vessels dissolve faster in acidic
materials
When Aluminium vessels are used for cooking, ions in the
vessel mix with the food, especially if the food contains acidic material such
as lemon, tomato etc.
C. Aluminium accumulating in the body becomes slow poison
The human body has limited ability to expel such metals.
If the metals accumulated in the body reach beyond this ability, these will
start getting stored in the muscles, kidneys, liver, bones etc.
Aluminium also stops the growth of brain cells. Thus, Aluminium
accumulated in the body becomes slow poison.
D. Diseases caused due to food cooked in Aluminium
vessels
Depression, worry, anxiety, memory loss, osteoporosis,
eye disorders, reduction in the ability of the kidneys, diarrhoea,
hyperacidity, indigestion, stomachache, colitis, mouth ulcers, skin problems
such as eczema etc.
2. Alternatives for Aluminium and Hindalium vessels
A. Earthen vessels
This is the best alternative. If these vessels are not
available in the market, get these made from a local potter. By using earthen
pots for cooking food, the body gets necessary minerals through the food.
B. Vessels made of Copper and Brass
When it is not possible to use earthen pots, vessels made
of copper and brass, applied with a thin layer of tin, should be used except
for sour food items.
C. Steel vessels
Vessels made of stainless steel can be
used. According to a Sanskrut shloka – The first means for performing
spiritual practice is a healthy body. Hence, these aspects should be kept in
mind without fail.
As you see even copper vessel is harmful if copper metal
is on inside of cooking vessel. The effects are slow and may not affect some
people at all.
But commonsense, any heavy metal in human body is good or
bad?
So I would suggest stainless steel or iron (not rusted)
utensils. Or best go back to earthen pots.
Yes, anodized Aluminium can be used. They don’t
disintegrate so easily. But still Aluminium among all metal easily disintegrates
and as I said it takes few years and some of us might not notice the effects.
There are reports that say Aluminium is INERT or gets Oxidised and there is no
proof to prove convincingly. But there are proofs that Alzheimer’s patients
mostly have high Aluminium in their system. So as I said common sense, let us
use metal which doesn’t disintegrate easily coz any metal in body is bad after
a point.
For all cooking I would suggest stainless steel. But best
option is if we can go for earthen cookware.
Aluminium I would suggest for serving or just keeping food
items. And maximise the use wooden spoons while cooking foods in Aluminium vessels to minimise heavy friction on the surface.
Anodized Aluminium means through electrolysis process the Aluminium
is made a bit hard or noncorrosive. Just a small oxide layer is formed on
surface. Basically today all branded pressure cookers, the Aluminium cookers
that are shiny are all anodized.
But yes as I said these things are tough to prove, and in
some cases today’s generation might even joke about it or ignore it, coz not
everyone will face the effects.
Becoz in India food is not just for eating right, if you
know about the Rajasic, Tamasic and Sattvic categories of food.
And to all who might not agree, all comments against my
views are welcome. But before you post, kindly see from the perspective what we
are saying.
If one still doesn’t agree good but there is truth in
what ancient Indians have to say about food and cooking, utensils.
