Protein rich diets are in vogue now. These include diets that are high in lean protein such as fish or chicken. However, an X user’s post debunking protein as a "latest fad” has gone viral. Taking to X, a Chennai-based user named Nandini Venkatadri revealed how her grandfather lived to be 103 on a South Indian diet with little to no protein. Every orning he began his day with a spoonful of methi or fenugreek seeds soaked the night before and a spoonful of curd.
“Idli, dosa, sambar, sundal, Pesarattu has enough Protein for healthy living…” she wrote.
She also revealed the family had ten cows at home so the milk they consumed was unadulterated. Their dog, an Australian terrier was also fed the same milk and lived to be 18.
Reacting to the post, one X user wrote: “My nutritionist has told me not to add protein powders or additives to my diet. Says it is not recommended and could be harmful if taken too frequently.”
Another observed: “Protein consumption is over rated… especially the grams per day per body weight nonsense…. South Indian Vegetarians who are teetotalers live fairly long with a good quality of life with just moderate daily exercise.”
Why Methi Is Superfood
According to a research published in the National Library Of Medicine, methi or fenugreek possess a wide array of health benefits and are a nutritional power house. They contain galactomannans, which is known to lower blood sugar levels. The soluble fibre in the seeds are also excellent for digestion. They bind to the cholesterol molecules in the gut preventing absorption in the bloodstream and thereby lowering cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is linked to heart disease.
Fenugreek seeds are also rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which are known to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. These reduce risk of cancer and prevent premature ageing of cells.
