Why Does Actor Neetu Kapoor Eat Congee For Her Breakfast?

Bollywood Actor Neetu Kapoor, 66, is still fit and slays wherever she goes. In a recent interview with Mira Rajput on her YouTube Channel, Neetu revealed that her secret to fitness is her breakfast, which is Kanji rice.

"Kanji is the best probiotic and always better than having capsules," Neetu said.

"You take a spoon full of cooked rice. In a matki, put water and that cooked rice. Let it ferment overnight. Next morning, take the rice and kanji, put a little tadka and then have it for breakfast," she explained.

Kanji or Congee rice is a popular South Indian dish. Many versions of this exists across India, in Bengal, it is called Panta Bhat. It is also a common dish in Odisha, where it is called Pakhala. Other states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Tripura and Assam too make this breakfast.

When cooked rice is left to ferment overnight, it releases nutrient. The carbohydrates and protein in the rice remain intact, other nutrients including good bacteria, vitamin B, iron and magnesium are released.

Soaking in water also leads to a high retention of water in the dish, which can result positively, if consumed during hot and humid seasons.

This light dish contains good bacteria and probiotics which helps in digestion, and also cools your body down.

The key to a healthy gut health is lactobacillus, a kind of probiotic, which helps in digestion, suppression of disease-causing bacteria and treats constipation. It also is beneficial in treating irritable bowel syndrome. It breaks down sugar into lactic acid.

A study by a Bhubaneswar-based professor Balamurugan Ramdas also revealed that this dish contains short-chain fatty acids, which are responsible for improving gut health and boosting immunity. The study also notes that the fermented rice water also provides high energy.

It also has a low glycaemic index that helps maintain a stable blood sugar level, reduces cravings and snacking. The combination of fibre, protein and healthy fats in congee makes it a superfood. Furthermore, it is also easy to cook.