The monsoons have arrived in India and how. While the pitter-patter outside is definitely a welcome respite from the humid heat, a good part of the country is also trying to reel from the damages caused by the heavy showers. Monsoon has been a bitter-sweet experience for million – but this year, we are all trying to be a little more cautious towards our health. The pandemic has caused a drastic shift in our priorities, and if you are also evaluating everything you eat nowadays- you have arrived at the right place.

Come monsoon, and we start hearing about all the monsoon-related diet myths that have persisted since time immemorial, “Don’t eat this, drop that, oh, that is bad as well.” More often than not, we are not even sure of the origins of these ‘mantras’, but we are so scared that we go ahead with it anyway. But is it a good idea to avoid certain foods that are otherwise said to be healthy? Take for instance, curd. Curd has been valued for its health benefits in both traditional medicine as well as in the present-day context. But it is an age-old belief that curd should be avoided during this nippy weather due to its cooling nature. And eating it may increase chances of you catching a chill. Here’s what experts have to say about the myth.

(Also Read: Indian Cooking Tips: 7 Ways To Use Leftover Curd In Cooking (Recipes Inside)

Delnaaz T. Chanduwadia, Chief Dietitian, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai says, “It must be understood that of these rules come from a basis of Ayurveda which are meant for three different body constitutions namely vatta (movement), pitta (metabolism) and kapha (energy of lubrication and structure). As per Ayurveda: curd is to be avoided. This is because during these months, vatta is aggravated and accumulation of pittha begins to give rise to health issues. However as per medical science…one would want to keep the gut healthy in this particular season wherein humidity and infections are at their peak. And by improving your gut flora you can work towards a better immunity and hence one is encouraged to consume curd. However, it is important to make sure that the curd is well within its shelf life and not spoilt. Monsoon calls for spoilage of foods faster than other seasons, hence it is important to make sure one is careful whilst consuming.”

(Also Read: 7 Easy Snacks You Can Make With Curd (Dahi) This Summer)

Curd is a good probiotic food.

Elaborating the link between curd and gut flora, Abhilasha V, Senior Clinical Nutritionist of Cloudnine group of Hospitals, Bangalore says “curd is safe during monsoons. The age-old myth about avoiding curd is no longer scientific as the benefits of gut immunity are widely studied and known now. Curd is rich in probiotics and can actually build better immunity by strengthening your gut and adding beneficial microorganisms to the healthy gut. So, go ahead and have any vegetable raita or buttermilk with pepper, ginger in it and stay healthy this monsoon. In pregnancy, due to hormone progesterone, digestion is sluggish, so adding probiotics like curd can improve gut function and provide relief from constipation and bloating.”

Therefore, if you are a fan of curd you may go ahead with it- however, make sure you do not forget about portion control and consume it only in moderation.

(This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.)