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Shaheen Majeed, Global CEO and Managing Director, Sami-Sabinsa Group
Are traditional fermented foods enough for gut health today?
Eating a variety of traditional fermented foods regularly can support gut health by providing diverse microbes and nutrients. However, the exact strain, potency, and concentration of live cultures in homemade or traditionally prepared foods can vary significantly. Clinically studied probiotic supplements with a guaranteed strain specificity and dosage are useful when addressing gut symptoms, post-antibiotic recovery, or specific clinical needs to offer a more consistent and potent solution.
Does India need daily supplementation or only therapeutic usage?
The need for daily supplementation versus therapeutic usage depends entirely on the individual’s diet, lifestyle, and underlying health. There’s insufficient evidence to recommend daily probiotics for healthy individuals with diverse diets rich in traditional fermented foods and fiber. However, for those with a compromised modern diet, high-stress levels, or specific conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or for rebuilding the microbiome after therapeutic antibiotic use, daily probiotic supplements can be a vital part of a preventative or recovery strategy.
What do you think most Indians prefer right now? Curd or a capsule?
Most Indians currently prefer and consume curd as a daily gut health staple. Curd is culturally ingrained, affordable, and widely trusted for daily digestion support. Capsules are increasingly recognised in urban areas, mainly for targeted health needs, standardised strains, or medical advice. Even though the market for probiotic capsules is experiencing robust growth, the sheer volume and widespread acceptance of curd make it the current preference for general gut wellness.
Is curd/yogurt clinically comparable to a probiotic capsule?
Curd or yogurt is not clinically comparable to a probiotic capsule. As a whole food, curd/yogurt contain beneficial bacteria but vary in strains and potency. Probiotic capsules have clinically studied strains in standardised doses, often including unique, patented bacteria that have been proven in human trials for targeting specific gut conditions.
Are CFU numbers just marketing?
CFU (Colony-Forming Units) numbers are not just marketing, but the highest numbers are often used for marketing impact. CFUs are the standard measure of live, viable microbes in a dose, and a minimum effective dose is necessary to confer a health benefit. However, higher counts don’t necessarily guarantee better results. Effectiveness depends on the specific strains, clinical evidence supporting that specific strain/dose combination, and guaranteed CFUs through shelf life.
What format will dominate India in next 5 years?
In the next five years, the probiotic food and beverages segment, particularly probiotic drinks and yogurts, is projected to maintain its dominance in terms of overall consumption volume and revenue. This is driven by their cultural acceptance as a daily dietary staple (like dahi or lassi), wide availability, and convenience. However, the probiotic dietary supplements segment (capsules, powders, gummies) is forecast to be the fastest-growing format, fueled by increasing health consciousness, demand for clinically proven, high-potency strains, and the rise of e-commerce channels making these products highly accessible.
Future of gut health — dairy + supplements coexist or compete?
The future of gut health in India will be defined by coexistence, not competition, between dairy and supplements: Probiotic dairy products will remain the foundation for everyday gut support, building upon long-standing culinary traditions. Supplements will complement dairy, providing targeted strains and standardized doses for specific health needs. They will cater to the therapeutic and personalised segment, sought by urban consumers.
Mansi Jamsudkar Padvekar