WHY MICRONUTRIENT AWARENESS IS VITAL TO INDIA'S HEALTH

Amidst the overload of online information on nutrition and supplements, many Indians struggle to manage their diets, prompting experts to stress the need for medically guided, evidence-based approaches to tackle rising micronutrient deficiencies

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As India is undergoing a nutritional transition with diets changing over the past two decades or so, conversations around diet should not just be limited to what fills the plate but also on what may be missing from it.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) emphasise the importance of a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Aligning with these recommendations, India's dietary guidelines, led by the ICMR's National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), have incorporated them into national programmes like the Anaemia Mukt Bharat initiative. Moreover, the WHO highlights the significance of micronutrient supplementation, particularly for populations vulnerable to deficiencies.

However, despite the South Indian diet’s richness in staples providing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, micronutrients often remain overlooked. As eating habits and daily routines shift rapidly in both urban and rural parts of India, health professionals are increasingly highlighting the importance of meeting the body’s need for essential vitamins and minerals. This growing concern stems from a larger global issue: more than 2 billion people are affected by deficiencies in crucial micronutrients such as vitamin A, iodine, iron, and zinc. These shortfalls are not merely nutritional -- they carry serious health consequences.

Across the world, micronutrient deficiencies are linked to conditions like anaemia, vision loss, reduced cognitive ability, and a weakened immune system, making individuals more vulnerable to infections. According to the WHO, anaemia affects 42% of children under the age of five and 40% of pregnant women. The burden is especially heavy in regions such as South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, where access to nutrient-rich diets can be limited.