Research identifies food patterns that raise the risk of non-communicable illnesses

Unsettling dietary patterns of excessive salt intake and insufficient potassium intake have been identified by a recent research. These trends raise the risk of developing hypertension, cardiovascular illness, and chronic renal disorders.

The George Institute for Global Health India and the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh collaborated on the study, which found that men consumed more nutrients than women did and that protein consumption was below the recommended dietary allowance.

An extensive investigation on the dietary patterns of the north Indian populace was carried out, with particular attention paid to the consumption of protein, potassium, phosphorus, and salt, all of which are linked to an increased risk of non-communicable disease development.

The research included over 400 adult participants, including individuals with early-stage chronic renal disease and healthy people. It was published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.

To evaluate nutrient consumption, a 24-hour urine excretion analysis was used.

Due to its reduced susceptibility to memory or portion size estimating mistakes, this approach is thought to be more accurate than dietary recall. The dependability of the urine samples for analysis was carefully checked.

Professor Vivekanand Jha, Executive Director and lead study author, said, “Meticulous analysis revealed some alarming trends—excessive salt consumption surpassing recommended levels, inadequate potassium intake (both of which increase the risk of development of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease), and protein consumption below the recommended dietary allowance.”

One of the main risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are a serious public health issue, is a diet deficient in nutrients. Since diets vary widely across India, it’s critical to ascertain the precise nutrients individuals are consuming in order to help prevent and treat these illnesses, according to Jha.

According to Jha, the high salt and low potassium consumption indicate the need for actions that are geared at both people and society.

These results demonstrate that while a number of nutrients must be consumed in the diet to maintain healthy renal and cardiovascular function, this consumption is not at its best. It also emphasized how customized dietary modifications are necessary to lower the chances of prevalent NCDs.

The research also emphasizes how critical precise dietary evaluations are to developing successful policies and offering tailored guidance.

Jha said, “The study shows that it is important to have dietary guidelines that are specific to local area.” This underscores the need of public awareness efforts, individual counselling, and food policy changes. We must work to correct nutritional imbalances and promote healthier eating by broadening the range of foods available.

Researchers recommended employing a variety of multifaceted techniques to reduce the risks of NCDs, such as improving the information on food labels to help people make healthier choices, lowering the salt content of processed foods, and promoting the consumption of more potassium-rich fruits and vegetables.

This research promotes a healthy future for North Indian communities by outlining proactive measures to combat NCDs.

Funding for this initiative came from the India Science and Engineering Research Board in Delhi, the Department of Biotechnology, and the Welcome Trust of the India Alliance.