Perinthalmanna, October, 2025 – As the world observes World Heart Day, health experts in Perinthalmanna are urging residents to look closely at what they put on their plates. Cardiovascular disease continues to be one of the leading health challenges in Kerala, and doctors say simple, local dietary choices can go a long way in protecting the heart.
Kerala’s rich food culture, while abundant in taste, often comes with high salt, fried foods, and excessive coconut oil use. With urban lifestyles adding more packaged snacks and sugary drinks to the mix, the risk of hypertension, diabetes, and heart attacks is steadily rising. Nutritionists and cardiologists agree that the answer lies not in abandoning tradition, but in making small, mindful adjustments to the everyday diet.
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes available in local markets provide protective fiber and antioxidants. Fresh fish such as sardines and mackerel, staples in Kerala homes, are natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation and strengthen heart function. Reducing pickles and papads high in salt, replacing fried snacks with roasted or steamed options, and moderating the use of coconut oil can significantly cut cardiovascular risk. Hydration through water, tender coconut, and buttermilk also plays a vital role.
Speaking on the occasion, DR SOMANATHAN C , DM CARDIOLOGIST, EMS Hospital, Perinthalmanna, said, “We often underestimate the power of food in either protecting or damaging the heart. When we overload our meals with salt, sugar, or fried items, we silently increase the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol – the very factors that fuel heart attacks and strokes. At the same time, Kerala’s own traditional produce gives us natural medicines in the form of vegetables, pulses, and fish. A balanced Kerala diet rich in fish, vegetables, pulses, and whole grains can be as powerful as any medicine in preventing heart disease. The key is not to abandon our food habits, but to refine them – use less oil in curries, reduce the salt in pickles, snack on roasted grams instead of fried chips, and eat more fruits. On World Heart Day, my message to people is simple – what you eat today shapes the strength of your heart tomorrow. Even small steps like choosing grilled fish over fried fish or replacing a sugary drink with tender coconut water can add years of healthy life. If every family in Perinthalmanna begins with these small changes, we can see a real decline in heart disease in our community.”
Doctors emphasize that food is only one part of the equation. Regular physical activity, stress management, and timely health check-ups remain essential. But they stress that nutrition is the foundation of heart health – a tool that lies in every household’s control. This World Heart Day, the call from Perinthalmanna’s medical community is clear: the journey to a stronger heart begins at the dining table.