DFRL food to fight fatigue

Mysore: After years of rigorous hard work, food scientists at Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) are on the verge of revolutionizing the food industry.

An array of new generation nutraceuticals are being developed by the defence lab, which will help Indian jawans fight anxiety, sleep and fatigue for several hours without food or the minimum food in extreme conditions. In fact, in-house trials done on white mice proved that these foods will enhance performance.

Now, scientists are gearing-up for ‘last-leg’ human trials before seeking necessary clearances from the Directorate General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMC). Dr K. Radhakrishna, additional director, DFRL, told Deccan Chronicle that there is a huge demand from the Indian army for performance enhancing foods.

This was the thrust area for DFRL in the 11th five-year plan and will continue to be in the 12th plan too. Only a few developed countries like the USA have done extensive research in this emerging area of food sciences and India will join the ‘elite’ club shortly.

“Though the products are still at the R&D stage, the in-house trials have already given the desired results”, Dr Radhakrishna said.

These nutraceuticals also have immense potential in the civilian market, both domestic and international. For example, a student can use these products to bust stress and depression during exam time. Importantly, these products don’t have any side-effects and are purely developed using micro-nutrients and anti-oxidants extracted from natural herbs and plants, said a senior DFRL scientist working with the project.

Already, DFRL has developed several appetizers, stress-relieving biscuits, squash rich in anti-oxidants from sea buckthorn, fruits and leaves, low-calorie aloe vera drink for diabetics, cholesterol-lowering food and memory-enhancing chocolates. Microbiological safety and shelf-life parameters were checked as per international standards, Dr Radhakrishna added.