For generations, Indian households have upheld the belief that menstruating women should not touch pickle jars, fearing they would spoil. But have you ever wondered if there is any scientific truth behind this age-old practice?
While this superstition has been passed down for centuries, modern science tells a different story.
Pickles are preserved using high concentrations of salt, oil, and spices, all of which create an environment hostile to bacterial growth. Fermentation, the process that gives pickles their distinct taste and long shelf life, is controlled by factors like temperature, humidity, and exposure to microbes.
Some claim that hormonal changes or body heat from menstruating women could interfere with this process, but science has completely debunked this idea. Human body temperature fluctuates only slightly during the menstrual cycle nowhere near enough to affect food preservation.
Another common explanation is linked to hygiene. In ancient times, when sanitary practices were limited, menstruating women were often considered "impure." It was believed that if they touched food with unwashed hands, contamination could occur.
However, in today’s world, with proper hygiene and food safety standards, this reasoning no longer holds any weight. Whether menstruating or not, clean hands are all that matter when handling food!
From a biological perspective, menstruation is a natural bodily function regulated by hormonal changes such as estrogen and progesterone fluctuations.
These shifts, however, have absolutely no impact on the biochemical reactions involved in fermentation or food spoilage. The idea that a woman on her period could “ruin” a pickle jar is not only scientifically unfounded but also reinforces outdated social stigmas.
With increasing awareness about menstrual health, women are breaking free from such baseless restrictions. Superstitions should never dictate daily life especially when science provides clear answers. It’s time to challenge old myths and embrace knowledge over fear!
