Milk in Tamils’ diet [தமிழர்களின் உணவுப் பழக்கத்தில் பால்]

Abstract

Tamil community has always given top priority to their diet. The health of the Tamil community has been associated with a natural habitual practice. They added spices which are well-known for its medical virtues. They used ghee for food digestion and “moru” (yogurt based drink) to quench their thirsts during summer. This dietary system, which consists of natural food, immediately remedied fatigue, body weakness and dehydration. Milk is a common food in Tamil’s diet. However, there are claims that the existence of milk as food is not found in ancient Tamil dietary system. According to Dr. Theivanayakam, ancient days Tamils did not consume fresh cow milk as food. However, Dr. Theivanayakam did not deny the use of cow milk as a medicine but strongly against the habit of consuming milk as food. He is also strongly against the practice of feeding cow milk to infants and toddlers which is contrary with European researchers. These alarming statements by Dr. Theivanayakam have created curiosity amongst researchers to further investigate cow milk consumption as food among ancient Tamils. The main objectives of this research are to investigate whether cow milk existed as food in ancient Tamil diet and to investigate the negative effects it can cause to human health. This study is believed to create awareness about the effects involved in consuming milk as food in Tamils specifically and Asian populations in general.