Inside BENEO’s new pulse plant: pioneering sustainable protein from faba beans
Research links low fibre intake to common digestive issues such as constipation and chronic conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Aashirvaad Happy Tummy platform released an analysis of the nation’s digestive health based on the responses provided by over eight lakh people. The results included over 1.27 lakh respondents from Fiber Meter and over 7.4 lakh from Digestive Quotient on Happy Tummy.
Aashirvaad Happy Tummy is an online platform by Aashirvaad Atta with Multigrains, which serves as a comprehensive guide focused on digestive health and fibre intake.
The Fiber Meter report revealed that 70 per cent of Indians who responded to the survey, did not consume the recommended daily fibre intake. The gap is wider among women, with 74 per cent reporting inadequate fibre intake compared to 64 per cent among men, highlighting that the majority of people missed an important component of digestive health. Research links low fibre intake to common digestive issues such as constipation and chronic conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Dr BS Ramakrishna, Director & Senior Consultant -Medical Gastroenterology, SRM Institutes for Medical Science, Chennai stated “The central role of the digestive system and the gut microbiota in the development and perpetuation of many chronic diseases is now well appreciated. Scientific evidence consistently highlights the role of dietary fibre—particularly from whole grains and multigrain sources—in supporting gut microbiota diversity and enhancing overall digestive health. On World Digestive Health Day 2025, with the theme Nourish to Flourish, it is imperative to promote fibre-rich diets as a cornerstone of preventive health strategies to address the dual burden of undernutrition and non-communicable diseases.”
Anuj Rustagi, COO-Staples and Adjacencies, ITC Foods, said, “Fibre is a foundational pillar for our digestive health and yet daily diets of a majority don’t reflect this priority with most people underestimating the role of fibre, which acts like a natural panacea for the digestive system. The survey demonstrates a serious fibre gap in Indian diets, which merits urgent correction. Simple shifts—like including multigrain, vegetables, fruits, and adequate water—can go a long way in improving gut health.”
Anita Jatana, Chief Dietician, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital Delhi said, “Increase in prevalence of digestive health issues is mostly due to poor dietary and lifestyle habits. Consuming a diverse array of fibre-rich foods, particularly whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables is essential for promoting optimal digestive health. These foods are also naturally rich in essential micronutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that contribute to overall physiological well-being. Multigrains like whole grain wheat flour, oats and millets must be incorporated into daily diet instead of refined grains. Complementing a balanced diet with adequate proteins, healthy fats, essential vitamins and minerals and fibre intake with proper sleep, hydration, physical activity and relaxation supports digestive health.”