Is it Good to Drink Pani Puri Water?

Pani puri, also called golgappa, is a widely popular Indian snack, which is particularly famous as a street food. Some of the ingredients involved in making pani puri include the pani or water which enhances the overall experience through its tangy taste. However, the question remains: Is it Good to drink pani puri water?

The pani puri water basically contains spices, herbs, and other blends and there are so many health benefits attached to it. Other than enhancing the taste of the crispy puris and the attractive fillings, the water component of pani puri includes more health benefits than one can think of such as the anti-inflammatory effect of cumin and the advantage digestive effect of mint.

In this article, I am going to explain the advantages and the disadvantages of consuming pani puri water for health point of view and the composition of the pani puri water. We will also feature information on moderation and danger that may come with excessive consumption of this favourite street food.

Advantages of Pani Puri Water

Based on my research, here are the benefits of consuming pani puri water.

1. Nutrient-Rich Ingredients:

• Tamarind(imli) has a property to reduce the intensity of digestive problems and is an antioxidant.
• Mint (pudina) – This has an immediate benefit if you have gastrointestinal issues such as bloating or acidity, strengthens the immune system and is great for the respiratory system.
• Green chili – Excellent to reduce weight, helpful for anemia patient, and these are full of antioxidant.
• Black salt – Has been known to aid in digestion especially when one is affected with bloated stomach.
• Cumin Powder – Source of iron; relieved from diabetes, cholesterol; digestive system.

1. Digestive Benefits:

• This implies that products like Asafoetida, Lemon Juice, tamarind, raw mango , jaggery and black salt have benefits like it helps in burning of fats, helps in metabolism and the burning of calories. 
• Mint chutney ferments, tamarind pulp which is rich in vitamin C, and jaljeera spice powder when added to the water helps in preventing stomach disorders.
• Should also mention that cumin soaked in water can help alleviate problems related to the stomach.

1. Nutrient Composition: Ramu said that he Prepared Panipuri with water, they contain Fiber, Vitamin A, Iron , manganese,folic acid suitable to the body

Disadvantages of Pani Puri Water

Based on my research, here are the disadvantages of consuming pani puri water.

1. Contamination Concerns:The potentiality of waterborne diseases that could arise from the consumption of contaminated pani puri as well as other non-hygienically prepared street foods.
2. High Sodium Content:While adding salt on the water to make it tastier also has its cons especially when one wish to lose some weight, water retention becomes an issue.
3. Calorie and Nutrient Imbalance:It is also a calorie dense food and 5 pieces of pani puri amount to 350 calories, which is about 16 percent of what we need in a day which implies that it can lead to weight gain if taken so often.

Composition of Pani Puri Water

The pani puri water solution normally consists of fusion of spices like cumin, mint, tamarind, green chilli, black salt, and others. However, it may differ with the region’s preference as well as the recipe applied by the vendor or by a particular household.

Moderation and Risks of Excessive Consumption of Pani Puri:

• Contamination Concerns: One may suffer several side effects of pani puri due to its quality and preparation process, including stomach aches, bloating, diarrhea and vomiting among others. 

The water which is employed to fill the pani puri, particularly the one sold by the local itinerant vendors, may contain bacterial pathogens, viral particles, or parasitic cysts that results into gastroenteritis, typhoid, or hepatitis A respectively.

• High Caloric Density: Although pani puris are small in size, they are usually had in many at a time, putting people at a high risk of eating a lot of calories. 

Even though these snacks are healthy for you, if taken in large portions, they may cause you to put on some weight, make you fart or have any of the following side effects of increased load on the tummy; bloating, burping, indigestion, heartburn among others.

• Disturbance of Gut Flora: The consumption of many flavorful spicy and tangy pani often containing tamarind, mint, cilantro, and spices ,the gut may be changed in the pH balance, impairing the microbiome. 

This disruption of the bacterial flora in the gut can lead to straightforward problems such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

• Use of Fried Ingredients: The process of deep frying in pani puri can put considerable amount of unhealthy fats into the body. 

Consumption of such foods often causes the inflammation of the gastric mucosa thereby causing gastritis or worsening other conditions such as Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

• Hygiene Concerns: The hygiene issues associated with pani puri bought from streets are due to its potential to get contaminated, lack of proper preparation environment, and risks of cross-contamination. 

Contractors within the food chain may not always observe high standards of hygiene, putting many people at risk of getting food borne diseases.

• Environmental Factors: Features of the environment where street vending occurs for instance, proximity to sources of pollution including fumes from automobiles, and street dust will influence the level of food hygiene. 

Food when uncovered is vulnerable to these pollutants, which are dangerous when consumed and Pani puri is not exempted from this.

Conclusion

So, in some ways, this pani puri water can indeed be good for our health because its ingredients are rich in nutrients like tamarind, mint, and cumin, but we should at the same time not consume it to the extremes because it may adapt certain health risks that may include contaminated water, high sodium content, and a high caloric density. 

Overall, pani puri is quite healthy and can be consumed in moderation or with modifications in the following ways:

• Select vendors that use high-quality ingredients
• Reduce serving sizes
• Avoid having pani puri alone

instead, accompany it with healthier options.