UPSC Prelims 2006 Q48: Science & Technology – Health & Diseases
Which one among the following is not a good source of nutritional calcium?
- (a) Rice
- (b) Ragi
- (c) Skimmed milk
- (d) Egg
Answer: (a) Rice
Explanation
Sources of nutritional calcium
| Food | Calcium content |
|---|---|
| Rice | Very low in calcium |
| Ragi (finger millet) | Very rich, among the best cereal sources |
| Skimmed milk | Good source, calcium remains in the milk |
| Egg | Moderate source, mainly in the yolk |
Rice is a poor source of calcium, whereas ragi, milk and egg supply useful amounts.
Answer: (a) Rice.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Rice contains very little calcium.
- (b) Incorrect. Ragi is one of the richest plant sources of calcium.
- (c) Incorrect. Skimmed milk retains the calcium of whole milk.
- (d) Incorrect. Egg supplies a useful amount of calcium.
Key point
Rice is a poor source of calcium, unlike ragi, skimmed milk and egg.
Remember
Rice is not a good source of calcium; ragi is.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all cereals are similar in calcium.
- Thinking removal of fat from milk removes its calcium.
- Overlooking ragi as a calcium-rich millet.
Exam tip
Calcium-rich: ragi, milk, curd, green leafy vegetables; poor: rice, polished cereals.
Sources
- National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR) — Nutritive Value of Indian Foods (C. Gopalan, B. V. Rama Sastri and S. C. Balasubramanian)
- NCERT Class VI Science — Food: Components of Food