Sipping a cup of hot tea with a rusk must be your favourite combination. The crunchy, delicious rusks are one of the most popular tea-time snacks and are enjoyed more than other biscuits. People prefer munching on rusks because they are believed to be healthier and lower in calories. People also think that they are made of semolina and wheat, both of which are low in glycemic index.
Rusks are often consumed instead of bread, which is considered unhealthy as it is made with refined flour and oil. However, the truth is something else. Rusks are nothing but the dehydrated and sugar-loaded version of bread. They are loaded with trans fats, additives, sugar, and gluten, which gradually impact metabolic health.
According to a study by the Mayo Clinic, rusks have more calories than bread. It is said that around 100 grams of rusk biscuits have approximately 407 kcal. A loaf of white bread has around 258–281 kcal without added sugar.
Thus, it is advisable not to consume rusk with tea, even though it seems to be the perfect combination. Here are 5 reasons why this age-old snack may not be advisable for teatime:
1. Rusks Are Made Of Stale Bread
According to a report published by Medium, a digital daily, rusks are made of stale bread, which is considered to be one of the reasons for health hazards. The main ingredients that go into making rusks are yeast, sugar, oil, and flour. However, in most store-bought rusks, stale loaves are tweaked to make rusk biscuits. Stale bread may contain pathogens and moulds that may lead to diarrhoea, constipation, and food poisoning. The same is passed onto the newly packaged rusk biscuits.
2. Sugar
Bakery products contain a large amount of white sugar, which enhances the taste of the dish. Continuous consumption of sugar is dangerous for health as it impacts insulin levels by spiking sugar levels. An increase in sugar intake may also cause several health problems like diabetes, heart issues, kidney problems, skin inflammation, and breakouts.
3. Rich In Gluten
Just like bread, rusks are rich in gluten. Gluten is a specific type of protein that helps the dough rise and gives it an elastic texture. Although some people can easily digest gluten, others find it hard. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which gluten damages the lining of the small intestine, increasing discomfort and causing bloating, pain, and diarrhoea.
4. Rich In Carbs
Rusk is high in carbs, and when eaten with milk tea, they add to the calorie count. They increase triglyceride levels and disrupt metabolic health, leading to obesity, high blood sugar levels, and the risk of cardiac ailments.
5. Made With Unhealthy Oil
Rusks are mostly prepared with unhealthy fats in local bakeries, namely dalda or margarine, as they are cost-effective and freeze at the temperature of the human body. Its continuous usage may lead to blood clots in the blood vessels, which may lead to cardiovascular health issues.