SIDH has initiated a research project on Traditional Indian Food and Health to understand the relationship between local food practices, traditional diets, and the health of communities. The project arises from a concern that contemporary health discussions in India are increasingly shaped by western medical frameworks, often without adequately studying the lived food traditions and health practices of Indian communities.
Traditional Indian diets have always been deeply local, seasonal, and connected with the soil, climate, crops, forests, cooking methods, and cultural practices of each region. In many parts of India, however, such food traditions are rapidly disappearing. Through this study, SIDH is attempting to document and understand communities where traditional food habits are still alive in everyday life.
The first phase of the research is being conducted in the Sawantwadi region of Maharashtra. A detailed survey has been undertaken across villages, covering agriculture, dairy practices, food sources, daily dishes, cooking habits, forest foods, fasting practices, livelihood patterns, and the health history of senior members of families. Alongside the survey, local food samples such as native red rice varieties, forest tubers, local ghee, native hen eggs, coconut kernel, and locally consumed fish have been sent for nutritional analysis at a certified laboratory.
The preliminary findings are encouraging. Many respondents, especially older members of the community, continue to consume traditional foods such as bhakri, pej, fermented preparations, sprouted pulses, forest foods, and locally available foods. The study also indicates that home-cooked food, regular outdoor activity, fasting practices, and the continued use of local food diversity may be contributing to better health conditions among the community.
Laboratory results from the first batch of samples have also shown promising nutritional value in native red rice, forest tubers, and native hen eggs. The full analysis is still underway, and SIDH will prepare a comprehensive report once the remaining survey data and lab results are available. Through this work, SIDH hopes to bring attention to the wisdom embedded in traditional Indian food systems and their relevance for health, culture, and sustainable living today.