The Mystery of Food

Food Spoilage

• Forgotten food (like Disha’s uttapam) spoils due to microbes that grow on it.
• Microbes are tiny living things found in soil, water, air, plants, animals, and inside us.
• Some microbes are harmful and spoil food, while others are useful (e.g., curd making).
• Spoiled food changes in smell, colour, and taste and becomes unsafe to eat.

Why Some Foods Spoil Faster

• Microbes need moisture, air, and suitable temperature to grow.
• Foods like bread spoil quickly, while pickles last longer due to oil preventing air entry.
• If any of the three conditions are removed, microbial growth slows down.
• Thus, storage methods directly affect how long food remains fresh.

Food Preservation Methods

• Drying/Dehydration: Sun-drying chillies or tomatoes removes moisture.
• Pickling/Oiling: Oil prevents air from entering and stops microbial growth.
• Refrigeration/Freezing: Cold slows down microbes (e.g., milk, vegetables in fridge).
• Other Methods: Using salt, sugar, spices, airtight containers, or canning in factories.

Good Microbes in Food

• Microbes help ferment idli batter, making it fluffy.
• Curd contains good bacteria that aid digestion and restore stomach health.
• Fermented foods like rice kanji or buttermilk have beneficial microbes.
• Not all microbes are bad — some are essential for food and health.

Indigestion and Remedies

• Eating spoiled or unhygienic food can cause indigestion and stomach problems.
• Home remedies like curd or buttermilk help in mild cases.
• Severe cases require a doctor’s treatment and medicines.
• Healthy eating habits prevent stomach issues.

My Food, My Pride (Traditional Practices)

• Families pass down preservation methods like pickling, drying, and fermenting.
• Seasonal fruits (like mangoes or lychees) taste best when eaten fresh in season.
• Local foods are fresher because they don’t travel far.
• Visiting vegetable markets teaches how elders carefully choose fresh produce.

Chewing and Teeth

• Chewing breaks down food and mixes it with saliva for digestion.
• Different teeth have specific functions: incisors (cut), canines (tear), premolars & molars (crush/grind).
• Eating slowly and chewing well prevents choking.
• Oral hygiene (brushing, rinsing, avoiding too many sweets) keeps teeth healthy.

Food in Our Body — Final Discovery

• Microbes can spoil food, but good microbes help make and digest food.
• Eating right, preserving food properly, and chewing well are key to health.
• Proper storage prevents waste and ensures safety.
• Detective Disha concludes that food, microbes, and good habits are all connected to health.

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