Beyond Calories: Why India Needs to Focus on Digestive Health to Fight Malnutrition

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For many years, the debate over malnutrition in India has centred on only one thing: calories/ nutrition. Government initiatives, dietary interventions, and food supplies have focused solely on delivering calories to people. While this is important, it is only half the story. Proper nutrition is not just about calorie intake, but about how effectively the body digests, absorbs, and uses the food it takes in. In other words, digestive health is crucial to fighting malnutrition.

We spoke to Neerja Hajela, Chief Scientific Officer - Science and Regulatory Affairs, Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd, who explained the need to focus on digestive health to fight malnutrition.

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The Hidden Connection Between Digestive Health and Nutrition

The human body has an extremely intricate system in the form of gut microbiota, or gut flora, residing in the digestive system. "The gut contains nearly 100 trillion bacteria, weighing about 1.5 kilograms. This gut flora includes both good and bad bacteria. The balance between them is crucial; when disrupted, it leads to a condition known as gut dysbiosis," explained Hajela.

As a result, the body may struggle to digest food properly and absorb nutrients effectively, regardless of food intake. This condition is referred to as "hidden malnutrition" and remains a major concern in many developing countries, including India.

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Therefore, malnutrition is not always due to inadequate food intake or lack of food. "Poor gut health, recurrent infections, and inflammation, all of which lead to inadequate nutrient absorption, are interlinked. Children who have frequent gastrointestinal infections are often stunted, low in body weight and height," added Hajela. This clearly shows that despite adequate nutrition, they may not be absorbing enough nutrients, leading to undernutrition and poor growth and development.

Improving digestive health can significantly improve the body's ability to benefit from food that is being consumed. A healthy digestive system ensures that food is digested efficiently, nutrients are absorbed, resulting in proper growth, development, energy, and immune system functioning.

The Role of Probiotics in Supporting Gut Health

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A possible way to improve gut health, and, in turn, enhance nutrient intake and utilisation, is the inclusion of probiotics in the daily diet. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, help maintain a healthy digestive system. They support gut health, strengthen immunity, and reduce the risk of infections.

"Lacticaseibacillus casei Shirota (SHIROTA strain) found in Yakult is a probiotic that has been extensively studied and selected for its ability to survive stomach acid and bile, and then multiply in the intestines. This probiotic produces lactic acid in the intestines, which helps create a healthy gut environment. This improved environment supports the growth of beneficial bacteria and prevents the proliferation of harmful ones," explained Hajela.

The gut's connection to the immune system is another important aspect of digestive health. Almost 70% of the body's immune cells are present in the gut, and therefore, the digestive system plays a vital role in providing protection against various kinds of infections.

"A balanced gut microbiota is important for boosting the immune system and minimising the risk of gastrointestinal infections that could lead to malnutrition. Gut health holds special significance for children, expectant mothers, and the elderly. A strong digestive system will lead to better health benefits in such populations," said Hajela.

Moving Beyond Calories: A Holistic Approach

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To effectively combat malnutrition in India, a shift in focus is necessary, moving beyond the provision of mere calories to a more comprehensive, nutrition-focused strategy that incorporates gut health. While ensuring a sufficient food supply remains crucial, public health initiatives should also prioritise balanced diets rich in fibre and essential micronutrients.

"Furthermore, improved sanitation and hygiene practices, greater public awareness of digestive health, and the inclusion of probiotic-rich foods in daily diets are equally important. Together, these measures can enhance nutrient absorption and ultimately lead to better nutritional outcomes," added Hajela.

The Way Forward

Malnutrition is a complex problem that cannot be addressed by just focusing on food availability. Poor Gut health is the missing link in this puzzle. Ensuring that food is properly digested and nutrients are absorbed by the body is just as important as ensuring that food is available. With the accumulation of more scientific data highlighting the importance of gut health, it is becoming increasingly clear that both gut health and a balanced, healthy, nutrient-dense diet will go hand in hand in fighting malnutrition in India.

To improve the health of India's population, the focus should move beyond nutrition alone to a more complete and holistic approach that combines the triad of nutrition, gut health, and a healthy immune system. Prioritising gut health is one of the most important steps India can take to build a stronger and healthier future.

Bottomline

Hajela concluded, "In the journey to a healthier India, the focus must shift from feeding India to nourishing India from within. Prioritising gut health is probably one of the most important decisions that India could take in order to build a stronger, healthier and more resilient future for itself."

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.