Dairy has long been considered a staple food in India, but in recent years, there has been growing evidence that suggests that dairy may not be as beneficial as once thought. In fact, some doctors are now recommending that their patients reduce or even eliminate dairy from their diets.
There are a number of reasons why doctors are making this recommendation. For one, dairy is a major source of saturated fat, which has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Additionally, dairy can be difficult to digest for some people, and can cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Another reason why Indian doctors are recommending dairy-free diets is because of the potential link between dairy and some chronic diseases. For example, some studies have shown that dairy consumption may be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and type 1 diabetes.
Of course, not everyone needs to go dairy-free for health reasons. However, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, or if you are concerned about your risk of chronic disease, you may want to talk to your doctor about reducing your dairy intake.
Here are some of the potential health benefits of reducing dairy intake in the Indian context:
-
Improved digestion: Dairy can be difficult to digest for some people, especially those with lactose intolerance. Reducing your dairy intake can help improve your digestion and reduce symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
-
Reduced risk of heart disease: Dairy is a major source of saturated fat, which has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Reducing your dairy intake can help lower your risk of heart disease.
-
Reduced risk of some chronic diseases: Dairy consumption has been linked to an increased risk of some chronic diseases, such as prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and type 1 diabetes. Reducing your dairy intake can help reduce your risk of these diseases.
-
Weight loss: Dairy can be high in calories and fat. Reducing your dairy intake can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
-
Increased energy levels: Reducing your dairy intake can help you feel more energetic throughout the day.
If you are considering reducing your dairy intake, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure you are getting enough calcium from other sources. Good sources of calcium include leafy green vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds. Another consideration is that dairy is often used in traditional Indian dishes. If you are reducing your dairy intake, you may need to adjust your recipes or find dairy-free alternatives. There are a number of dairy-free products available on the market, and there are also many recipes that can be easily adapted to be dairy-free.
Overall, there is evidence to suggest that reducing dairy intake may be beneficial for some people in the Indian context. If you are considering making this change, talk to your doctor to see if it is right for you.
Sources:
- Harvard Health Publishing: Dairy: Health food or health risk?: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/dairy-health-food-or-health-risk-2019012515849
- The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine: Doctors Group Tells Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee To Ditch Dairy: https://www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/doctors-group-tells-dietary-guidelines-advisory-committee-ditch-dairy
- Healthline: 5 Reasons I Went Dairy-Free — And the 7-Day Meal Plan That Helped Me Do It: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/no-dairy-diet