Why gut health and probiotics are taking centre stage in India
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. A demanding job that involved constant travel, long working hours, and a toxic work culture took a toll on 34-year-old Akshara Rawat’s health, a talent acquisition manager, from Dubai. “I’d moved to Bengaluru in my mid-20s and this chaotic lifestyle led to digestive issues, poor mental health, and sluggish workout recovery." After years of struggling to find a medical solution, Akshara found respite in 2021 when she consulted a functional nutritionist who helped her address the underlying gut problems she was facing.
“I suffered from various symptoms like fatigue, poor motivation, and mood issues, which didn't seem related to my gut. However, after addressing my gut health, all these symptoms were alleviated, and my life quality significantly improved. This experience made me realize the crucial role gut health plays in overall well-being," says Rawat.
Much like Rawat, rising health consciousness, coupled with the increasing prevalence of digestive issues, lifestyle diseases, and stress, is prompting Indians to focus on their gut health. The influence of social media, wellness influencers, and global health trends has also played a significant role in popularizing probiotics. Additionally, the availability of affordable supplements and functional foods has made gut health solutions more accessible to the Indian market.
Traditional Indian diets, rich in fermented foods like yogurt, idli, and pickles, align naturally with modern probiotic trends, making the concept relatable. Probiotics are living microorganisms found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut. Probiotics can also be taken as supplements to maintain the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut.
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