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Gut health issues cause obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes: Country Delight & IDA Mumbai Chapter study
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Thursday, 30 March, 2023, 13 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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Country Delight in partnership with Indian Dietetic Association, Mumbai recently conducted a three-city-wide survey to understand the digestive health of Urban Indians and assess their perception of comorbidities associated with gut health.
The ‘Gut Health Survey’, was conducted online using YouGov’s India panel, and responses were collected from 2017 respondents in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. People from the age group of 25-50 years were surveyed 50% of the respondents were males and 50% were females.
The survey revealed that 7 out of every 10 people experience digestive or gut health issues, with 59% complain every week while 12% suffer daily. A majority of consumers (80%) believe that digestive/gut health issues could lead to long-term lifestyle diseases. Interestingly, over 60% consumers have changed their diet as a preventive measure to avoid digestive as well as lifestyle diseases.
The Gut-Health survey highlighted that certain factors may lead to poor gut health. Approximately 63% of respondents said they consume junk or processed or packaged food every week, and gastric issues were recorded amongst 68% of them. 66% of the respondents believe that fast/junk food or chemically processed foods are the culprits behind digestive or gut issues.
In terms of the gut-brain connection, 59% of consumers who suffer from digestive/gut health issues every week also experienced certain mental health challenges such as anxiety, poor memory, mood swings, and lack of energy significantly more than the ones who report less frequent bouts of digestive issues.
Around 67% of people have modified or made changes to their lifestyle by including physical activity or changing their dietary habits. Additionally, almost four in ten respondents believe that switching to chemically free and fresh dairy products can help prevent digestive or gut health issues.
Sixty percent of people felt that their diet played an important role in preventing lifestyle diseases or digestive issues, so they changed their diet in the last few years. Overall, 6 out of 10 people look for chemical-free food items for their daily diet.
It is clear that digestive/gut health issues are a significant concern for urban Indians today. Some of the factors that contribute to poor gut health include consuming junk/processed/packaged food, which is believed to lead to gastric issues, and stress/anxiety. It is also evident that there is a strong gut-brain connection, and digestive/gut health issues can lead to Non Communicable Diseases (NCD’s) such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases.
To prevent gut health issues, many people have made changes to their lifestyle, including increasing physical activity, changing dietary habits, and switching to chemically-free, fresh dairy products. It is also important to note that many people believe that diet plays a significant role in preventing digestive issues and long-term lifestyle disease.
The survey reveals that modern-day lifestyle has led to a rise in stress and poor quality of sleep among people, with more than half of the respondents experiencing these issues on a regular basis. Women, in particular, face several health concerns related to lack of energy, mood swings, feeling low, and anxiety.
A lack of energy is the most commonly reported issue among women, with 41% of respondents reporting experiencing it regularly. Mood swings are also a prevalent concern, with 40% of respondents reporting experiencing them regularly. Feeling low is another common issue, with 39% of respondents reporting it, followed by anxiety, which 34% of respondents reported experiencing on a regular basis.
Chakradhar Gade, co-founder and CEO, Country Delight, said, “Country Delight along with IDA Mumbai Chapter is committed to being a leader in the digestive health space. It is disheartening to note that major cities of our country are going through issues of stress, poor quality of sleep, and anxiety on a regular basis. These problems can potentially lead to greater adverse medical conditions in the future. The survey is an attempt to highlight the various health-related problems people are confronted with today. The survey also intends to be a fulcrum around which better health awareness initiatives and policies can be framed in the larger interest of our society.”
Naaznin Husein, national executive committee member- IDA & former president IDA Mumbai chapter, said, “Gut-Health survey highlights the significant prevalence of digestive health issues, especially in urban population. It’s mostly due to poor dietary and lifestyle habits. A strong gut is the cornerstone of a well-functioning immune system and also supports mental health. Switching to natural whole foods, avoiding processed ingredients, including physical activity are now essential to maintaining a balanced gut in order to enjoy a better quality of life.”
The survey findings emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle and underscore the need to of mindful dietary and lifestyle choices. By making simple changes to their daily habits, people can safeguard their gut health and maintain overall well-being.
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