New Delhi — India’s rich tradition of fermented foods should be leveraged to counter the growing shift towards ultra-processed diets that threaten gut health and long-term public well-being, said Rajiv Gauba, Member of NITI Aayog, at a probiotic symposium.
Speaking at an event organised by the Gut Microbiota and Probiotic Science Foundation, Gauba highlighted that social media-driven food choices, changing lifestyles, and the rise of quick-commerce platforms are pushing people away from traditional, nutrient-rich diets. According to him, these trends could have serious long-term consequences, with an estimated 56.4 per cent of India’s disease burden linked to unhealthy or imbalanced diets.
He said India is uniquely positioned to lead the global probiotic movement due to its heritage of fermented foods and traditional dietary practices. By combining this knowledge with genomic and microbiome research, the country can develop clinically validated probiotics, he noted.
Gauba emphasised that probiotics hold significant public health potential by helping reduce infectious and chronic diseases, improving nutrition, and strengthening immunity. Warning about misleading claims in the supplements market, he urged clinicians and researchers to counter misinformation.
Highlighting government initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, PM-JAY, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Gauba noted that out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure has declined from 62.6 per cent to 39.4 per cent between FY15 and FY22, saving households over Rs 1.25 lakh crore.
He added that India’s demographic dividend can only be realised with a healthy workforce and preparation for active ageing as the elderly population grows. Gauba also called for greater use of affordable generic medicines, telemedicine, digital health tools, data analytics, and AI to extend specialist care to underserved communities.
He further pointed out that microbiome science has evolved rapidly, moving from descriptive studies to advanced translational research. Emerging areas such as next-generation microbiome-based therapeutics, synthetic biology, and CRISPR-enabled engineering of probiotic strains could support precision medicine with targeted anti-inflammatory and metabolic benefits.
With inputs from IANS