North Indian diet poses health risks, may lead to chronic diseases: study

A recent study conducted by PGIMER, Chandigarh, and The George Institute for Global Health, India found that the traditional food eaten in North India may not be very healthy, although widely enjoyed. The study showed that this food contains too much salt and doesn’t have enough potassium and proteins, which can lead to health problems like chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart issues, and high blood pressure.

North Indian diet poses health risks

The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, involved more than 400, 182 healthy adults and 222 adults with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), with an average age ranging from 35.55 years to 58 years. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, utilized 24-hour urinary excretion analysis to assess nutrient intake in the study.

Dr. Ashok Yadav, one of the lead researchers, explained that they looked at the amounts of sodium, protein, potassium, and phosphorus in the participants' urine samples. They found that many people were consuming too much sodium (found in salt), which can cause high blood pressure and strain the heart.

On the other hand, most people weren’t getting enough potassium and protein, which are important for good health. “WHO guidelines recommend a daily dietary sodium intake of two grams (corresponding to five grams of salt), but 65 per cent consume eight grams daily,” says Dr Yadav. Similarly, most people were not meeting the WHO's recommendations for potassium and protein intake.

Moreover, a low protein diet can cause muscle wasting since the nutrient is the body’s building block, they explained. “The low dietary diversity leads to imbalance and unhealthy eating,” added Yadav. 

WHO recommends low sodium, high potassium

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that individuals consume 2g of sodium daily (equivalent to 5g of salt) and at least 3.50g of potassium. If chronic conditions like kidney diseases and hypertension exist, individuals should limit their sodium intake to no more than 1.50g per day.

The researchers warned that a diet high in salt and low in potassium and protein can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart problems, and CKD. They also noted that not getting enough protein can lead to muscle loss.

To improve health, the researchers suggested reducing salt in processed foods, educating people about healthy eating, and making sure food labels provide clear information. They also recommended eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts, and potassium-rich foods like bananas and kiwis.

Poor diet increases health risks

“Non-communicable disorders (NCD), which pose significant public health concerns, face a major risk element from a poor nutritious diet. The need to develop interventions targeted at individuals and societies arises from the high salt intake and low potassium intake,” said Prof. Vivekanand Jha, executive director, George Institute for Global Health, India, and lead study author.

The study also found that even healthy individuals were not getting enough protein, which is important for muscle strength. Dr. Nancy Sahni, another researcher involved in the study, emphasized the importance of including protein-rich foods like milk, eggs, fish, pulses, nuts, and seeds in our diets.

Healthy individuals, surprisingly, had low protein intake even though there are meaty menus in North Indian spreads. Protein intake hovered around 0.8 to 1 gm per kg body weight requirement, which was around 0.78 g per kg of body weight. It was observed that the usual protein intake in predominantly vegetarian homes was around 39-57 gm per day. Despite men having a higher nutrient intake than women, their overall dietary habits did not quite measure up.

The researchers call for improved food labelling, reduced sodium in processed foods, and educational programs to promote healthier eating habits. These systemic changes, along with personal dietary adjustments, are deemed essential for closing the nutrition gap and fostering a healthier population.

The study may have restricted itself to the assessment of protein, sodium, potassium and phosphorus, but the North Indian diet creates a rather unbalanced food pyramid due to their imbalance. The rising disease burden of non-communicable diseases is a result of an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity and the consumption of alcohol and smoking.

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