Strange Watermelon Dish Triggers Health Debate

A restaurant in Madurai recently gained attention on social media after introducing a unique dish – watermelon parotta. In a viral promotional video, the preparation involved placing a watermelon slice on parotta dough, adding oil, baking it, and slicing it like a pizza.

While the video drew praise from some for its creativity, it also sparked widespread concern about the safety and health implications of combining such ingredients.

Health Experts Raise Red Flags

Food experts and doctors expressed doubts about the combination of watermelon and parotta. According to food scientist Durga Devi Manoharan, the two ingredients digest at very different speeds. Watermelon is light and digests quickly, while parotta, made from refined flour, takes longer to break down.

“This mismatch in digestion can lead to discomfort and may affect gut health,” she explained.

Food Safety Officials Respond

A senior official from the food safety department responded to the concerns by stating that combining different foods is not dangerous in itself. “As long as the ingredients are clean and not harmful, there is no problem. If we receive a formal complaint, we will inspect the food and take action if necessary,” the official said.

The Impact of Viral Food Trends

Experts also pointed out how social media trends often influence people to try unusual food items without considering their health effects. Manoharan added, “These viral food experiments may look interesting, but they can encourage unhealthy eating habits.”

Conclusion

After receiving negative backlash, the restaurant decided to remove the watermelon parotta from its menu. However, the incident has sparked a wider discussion on the responsibility of restaurants to ensure that their dishes are not only creative but also safe and healthy for consumers.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources