Article Of ARGHA MAITY (Head Consultant cum Coach, AR SPORTS)
The gut microbiota is a collection of all microorganisms inhabiting the human gut. The balance between an overpowering population of beneficial microorganisms and controlled pathogenic populations is the key to good digestive and general health. Here, Probiotic and Prebiotic mechanism plays a vital role to keep our gut healthy and subsequently better general health. Probiotics act as a beneficial microbiota and Prebiotics act as a food for probiotics. Therefore, supply of adequate Probiotics and Prebiotics through diet is necessary for better health.
As we follow the trands of traditional Indian food habits, we can find good amount of Probiotics an Prebiotics are there. But, due to lifestyle changes Indian diet now shifts from natural or traditional foods to highly processed foods and fast foods. In addition to it, Indians now living in a sedentary lifestyle and not doing required physical activity leads to the risk of Non Communicable Diseases.
It has been seen, very limited study had been done on Probiotics and Prebiotics in India and there they have found very interesting outcome of results are, Adolescent and Younger peoples are more aware than Adults, high economic class people have better knowledge about probiotics than the lower economic class peoples, very little to no knowledge about prebiotics among almost every class of people of India etc.
Another interesting thing, Immunity is related to healthy microorganisms which mostly depends on the supply of Probiotics and Prebiotics through food. This has been emerged into the knowledge of most number of populations in India after the advent of COVID 19. Also it had been seen that most of the population know very limited food options or sources of Probiotics like curd, yogurt.
Based on above studies combining with my personal experience, I would say, I do also believe awareness of Probiotics and Prebiotics needs to improve among the population of India. Because due to lifestyle changes more number of degenerative health issues has been emerged among the people of India. Whereas, Probiotics and Prebiotics are related to better immunity and better nutrients absorption from food we eat could lead to further prevent many degenerative health diseases.
Some of the home made Probiotic food sources are: Curd, Yogurt, Idli, Dosa, Panta Bhat, Sauerkraut, Dhokla etc.
Some of easily available Prebiotic food sources are: Wheat, Milk, Green gram, Lentils, Chickpeas, Cabbage, Banana, Radish, Carrot, Beetroot, Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Tomato, Onion, Garlic, Ginger etc.
