For decades, the Bengali kitchen has been dominated by familiar names – Hilsa, Rui, Katla, Pabda, Tangra. These fish are staples, prized for their taste and tradition. But while the spotlight remained on the favourites, an unassuming marine species was quietly carrying medicinal secrets that science has only now begun to unravel. New research from West Bengal has brought Bhola Bhetki, a strong-smelling sea fish many had shunned, into sharp focus. (News18 Bengali)

A collaborative study involving Belda College and Vidyasagar University in Paschim Medinipur, along with Raja Narendralal Khan Mahila Mahavidyalaya, suggests that Bhola Bhetki has powerful effects on blood sugar, blood pressure, and even cardiovascular health. (News18 Bengali)

The work, initiated in 2017 under the leadership of Professor Kaushik Das, also included contributions from Professors Srabanti Pain and Jayshree Laha, and student researchers Sanjay Das, Supriya Bhowmik, and Sayan Panda. (News18 Bengali)

Their findings suggest that Bhola Bhetki not only helps in stabilising blood pressure but also aides in reducing signs of heart disease. People who regularly consume this fish report fewer issues with hypertension and heart problems, said Professor Pain, who was honoured for her work at the 2023 West Bengal Science and Technology Congress. (News18 Bengali)

Field studies in coastal villages revealed that among the 124 people surveyed, only three or four were diabetic. By contrast, diabetes was present in nearly 30 percent of those who primarily consumed freshwater fish. That prompted researchers to take the study into the lab. There, rats on a sugar-heavy diet were fed Bhola Bhetki. Despite the high sugar intake, their blood glucose levels dropped dramatically. The evidence pointed to an active compound in the fish capable of tackling hyperglycemia. (News18 Bengali)

Researchers now believe this compound, still being studied, could potentially be extracted and developed into a medicine. If successful, it may offer a natural alternative in diabetes management and even preventive care for high-risk groups. (News18 Bengali)

People often avoid Bhola Bhetki because of its strong smell, said Professor Pain, adding that what’s being ignored in kitchens could soon be valued in clinics. While the fish might not yet be a crowd favourite on the dinner plate, science has given Bengalis a reason to reconsider. (News18 Bengali)