Common staple diet of dal, roti, chai failing Indians' bone health: Experts

‘THE everyday dietary habits of Indians centred on tea, ‘roti,’ and ‘dal’ are increasingly contributing to declining bone health and early joint problems across age groups, particularly among the young, experts said here on Thursday.

- KAVITA BAJELI-DATT @New Delhi

Doctors report a growing number of patients in their 30s and 40s presenting with knee pain, backache, and stiffness—conditions earlier associated with older age.

Dr Simon Thomas, Senior Director, Robotic Joint Replacements and Orthopaedics at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, said many individuals assume regular home-cooked meals meet all nutritional requirements. “However, repeated meal patterns low in bone-supporting nutrients create gradual deficiencies,” he said.

He noted that diets dominated by ‘chai’, ‘roti’ and ‘dal’ lack adequate calcium, vitamin D, high-quality protein, and essential micronutrients, weakening bones and cartilage over time. Longstanding nutritional deficiencies are emerging as a significant contributor to poor bone health, he added.