Probiotic drinks becoming new fad in India, but are they totally safe?
Shifting to healthy drinks is a new trend these days. With an eye on growing cases of gastro-intestinal diseases, health drinks are penetrating aggressively in the market.
Probiotic drinks, known only to a select few until recently, are now flooding the Indian market like never before. Every supermarket fridge is now laden with these products, known as “gut friendly” food. Estimated to be Rs. 15 million market, India is fast becoming one of the world’s fastest growing dairy products markets.
Though the figures looks miniscule – considering globally the probiotic is a $14-billion industry – yet in urban domains craving for probiotics is increasing rapidly and probiotic drinks and foods are slowly grabbing market space. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines probiotics as live microorganisms that when conferred in adequate quantities provide a health benefit.
Neerja Hajela, secretary, Gut Microbiota and Probiotic Science Foundation (India), says that probiotics are becoming increasingly important since they improve intestinal health. “The intestine is a highly neglected organ although it controls all aspects of health,” she says.
According to her, the food we eat is digested here and the nutrients are absorbed. “Moreover, the intestine harbors majority of the immune cells of the human body and is largest immune organ and hence protects us from diseases. The microbes are both beneficial and harmful and therefore the balance is important. Probiotics help to maintain the balance,” says Hajela.
Whetting the appetite
Major players in the market for probiotics drinks and foods include Yakult, Nestle, Amul, Mother Dairy and small entities with offerings being spread in categories like yogurt, milk, ice cream and even tea.
Buoyed by the success Yakult Danone, a 50-50 joint venture between Japan’s Yakult and French food company Danone, is producing 280,000 bottles of 65 ml per day at its manufacturing facility at Sonepat (Haryana).
The founder of Yakult, Dr. Minoru Shirota, advocated the importance of preventive medicine and healthy intestines for longevity, and based his research activities on medicine to prevent diseases and the maintenance of robust intestinal health to help people live longer.
Another key producer of probiotic functional foods and beverages in India, Mother Dairy’s Nutrifit, is sold through about multi-brand retail outlets, as also retail and institutional channels.
Amul’s probiotic ice cream is also lapped up by probiotic fans. Says Mohammed Ajmal, a regular shopper for probiotics: “I enjoy Amul’s prolife probiotic ice cream, yoghurt and buttermilk which help boost digestion”.
MO’s Superfoods launched a European probiotic yogurt in India called MO’s Kefir. Moina Oberoi, its founder and managing director, puts things in perspective for Al Arabiya English.
“We set the formula focusing on two aspects, sensory and functional. From the sensory standpoint MO’s Kefir is conducive to the India and Asian palate. Being a chef it was very important to me personally that what we produce tastes great first,” she says.
According to her, on the functional standpoint MO’s Kefir has worked with a combination of bacterial strains that have positive health effects on aliments most commonly found.
Proboitics updates
As probiotics flood the market, vigorous research and development has also taken place. Giving the updates, Neerja Hajela said that research suggests that probiotics could help in reducing risk of common cold, allergies, even lifestyle disorders and because of the link between the gut and the brain may be useful in alleviating depression and anxiety.
“However, probiotic benefits are strain specific and one cannot generalize them. Therefore it is important that every strain is backed by its own dossier of scientific data for both its safety and health benefits,” says Hajela.
On what one should look for when buying probiotic food/drink, Neerja said: “It is important to study the label of the probiotic food which much indicate the complete name (Genus, Species and Strain), numbers of live bacteria till end of shelf life and the scientifically proven health benefits”.
According to her, since most probiotic foods that are available in India are in the form of dairy foods, storage conditions are very important. “Most of these products are refrigerated to ensure viability of the bacteria,” she says.
On the changing food habits, Moina Oberoi says gut friendly foods are more a need of the hour rather than a fad. “Indians have one of the highest rates of lifestyle diseases such as type II diabetes, blood pressure, cancer, cardiovascular issues and so on and the market is finally becoming more susceptible to changing diet habits based on the rise in sales of organic and health food products in the past 5 years,” she says.
Oberoi believes that once there is an increased credible communication shared providing the relevant understanding between gut health and these diseases the market will open up further. “The key, however, is to make sure these foods still taste great and are economically accessible”.
The flip side
Though these firms roll out a slew of probiotic foods and drinks claim to keep the digestive system healthy yet there is a flip side of the story. The Lancet, a British medical journal, says that the “good bacteria” commonly found in probiotic yogurt and drinks can be fatal for people suffering from severe pancreatitis.
Says Neerja when asked to comment on the report, “I am not commenting on the study because it was not our own study. However, you have to consume probiotics with caution in immune compromised patients.”
Sensing the fad for health foods and beverages, India’s food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has set standards for categories such as health supplements, nutraceuticals, food for special dietary uses and special medical purposes besides specialty foods containing probiotics, botanicals, and prebiotics as well as novel foods.
Expert views
Responding to Al Arabiya English, Dr. B.V. Tantry, HOD – Gastroenterology Dept, KMC Hospital, Mangalore, said: “Choose a probiotic that contains microorganism proven to get desired effect. For example, Lactobacillus maybe helpful for someone who cannot digest lactose the sugar in milk; Bifidobacterium for someone with IBS and sacharomyces for diarrhea”.
Dr. Tantry says it is important to check the expiry date when purchasing a probiotic. “Make sure the bacteria is viable. The manufacturer should specify how many bacteria are viable at the end of shelf-life”. He also says that there should not be any leakage or swelling of package. “Some people may get diarrhoea and bloating initially when using probiotics,” he says.
When asked for his views on the effectiveness of probiotics to a patient with gastro related issues, Dr. Tantry advised: “Probiotics have proven benefit in gut problems like functional GI disorders, infantile colic, constipation, ulcerative colitis and antibiotic associated diarrhea”.
However, the catch is that if probiotics are considered for therapeutic purposes, it is better to use products regulated by FDA.
“Probiotics are not replacement for proven treatment. Though probiotics boost immunity in normal person they can become source of infection in immunologically challenged patients,” says Dr. Tantry.
courtesy : english.alarabiya.net
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Messi mania grips Kolkata as thousands welcome Argentine icon at 2.26 am
Kolkata (PTI): Thousands braved the December chill and waited past midnight to give a rousing welcome to Argentine superstar footballer Lionel Messi as he arrived in Kolkata for his whirlwind three-day, four-city GOAT India Tour 2025.
The Barcelona legend's 2.26 am touchdown in the early hours of Saturday sent the city into a frenzy. Gate 4 of the international arrivals turned into a roaring sea of chants, flags and flashing phones, with fans sprinting between gates for even a fleeting glimpse of their favourite star.
Children perched on shoulders and drums rolled as Messi was whisked out through the VIP gate under massive security. A heavy convoy then escorted him to his hotel, where another huge crowd was waiting deep into the night.
Barricades, police deployment, and non-stop cheering completed a citywide eruption of "Messi mania."
Messi arrived with long-time strike partner Luis Suárez and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul. Over the next 72 hours, he will zip across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi, meeting chief ministers, corporate leaders, Bollywood celebrities and eventually Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.
Sleepless wait ends in disappointment
========================
Despite keeping vigil through the night, the wait ended in disappointment for many fans as they could not catch a glimpse of their icon.
Heavy security meant Messi was whisked out of the airport and taken to his hotel around 3.30 am through a back entrance, giving hundreds of waiting supporters a complete miss.
Only a handful of lucky airport staff managed a fleeting glimpse of the Argentine superstar as he stepped off the private Gulfstream V, looking dapper in a black suit over a white T-shirt, before being driven straight off the tarmac.
The Hyatt Regency lobby turned chaotic as fans sprinted across corridors shouting "Messi! Messi!" that echoed well past dawn.
The lobby resembled an Argentine fan club, dotted with sky-blue jerseys, scarves and flags. Breast-feeding infants clung to mothers, children raced around, and exhausted supporters sank into lobby sofas as the frenzy built up.
Messi checked into Room 730, with the entire seventh floor sealed off to ensure no movement around his suite.
With security at its peak, some fans who could afford it booked rooms in the hotel to stay as close to Messi as possible.
A family from New Alipore checked in a day early just so that their son, Krish Gupta, a Cristiano Ronaldo fan, would not miss a Messi moment.
"I'm a die-hard Ronaldo fan, so what? His biggest rival is coming to my city and I cannot miss the moment. So we planned to stay in the hotel a day in advance," said Krish, a Class 9 student of Birla High School.
He roamed the coffee shop with his mother and elder sister, anxious for a peek at the icon.
"I just want to tell him to play football with me. And if I'm not successful, I will go to the gym tomorrow morning to catch a glimpse of him. I have my autograph book ready and hopefully I will get a selfie."
High hopes
========
Satadru Dutta, the sole promoter of the tour who received Messi at the airport, said the moment was historic for Kolkata.
"In 2011, he had come after becoming the captain, but now he is coming after winning the World Cup and his eighth Ballon d'Or. So, this is really special. I don't think he will come again, so it's about celebration," Dutta told reporters.
He said Messi's presence could give Indian football a real push.
"Never ever have so many sponsors come together for a football star. You can say this is for Messi, but even if 10 per cent of that money comes to the development of Indian football, it would be very big. This statue that has come up and will be unveiled in the morning is also the first-of-its-kind in the world. Messi is set to leave a legacy behind this time," he added.
Security was tightened across the city ahead of Messi's GOAT India Tour, with policemen at every crossing, sniffer dogs checking vehicles and heightened surveillance around the hotel.
Staff were busy preparing the themed decor, including two large three-layered fondant cakes in Christmas colours.
Outside the airport and later near the hotel, massive crowds braved the winter chill to welcome Messi.
Fans waved Argentina flags and jerseys, screamed his name and broke into chants as emotions ran high, some clapping, some crying, many overwhelmed at witnessing a once-in-a-generation legend in their city.
The Hyatt Regency became the epicentre of the frenzy, with street vendors selling scarves, flags and Messi No 10 jerseys.
A few fans turned up in wigs and full Argentine colours. "This is a lifetime opportunity. We will not sleep tonight and will head straight to the stadium in the morning. Today is celebration day," said one fan.
The Itinerary
=========
Messi begins his GOAT India Tour on Saturday with a sponsors' meet-and-greet before heading to the Salt Lake Stadium for a tribute programme featuring music, dance and an exhibition match between Mohun Bagan 'Messi' All Stars and Diamond Harbour 'Messi' All Stars.
He is scheduled to arrive at 10.50 am for interactions with both teams, a felicitation of Bengal's Santosh Trophy-winning side and a "Master Class with Messi" for kids. Luis Suárez, Rodrigo De Paul and Shah Rukh Khan will join the proceedings, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other dignitaries invited.
Messi will take a lap of honour before a virtual unveiling of his 70-foot statue at Lake Town.
He will then depart for Hyderabad at 2.05 pm for the evening leg at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, featuring a short exhibition match, a five-minute appearance by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, a football clinic and felicitation.
He then heads to Mumbai for his event at the Wankhede. The leg will also feature a 45-minute philanthropic fashion event with Suárez and De Paul, preceded by a Padel Cup at the CCI.
The tour ends in Delhi where Messi will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Minerva Academy's triple youth-trophy winners will be felicitated, followed by a nine-a-side celebrity match.
Kolkata's tryst with footballers
===================
Kolkata's bond with football royalty dates back to 1977 when Pele's New York Cosmos played a 2-2 draw against Mohun Bagan at Eden Gardens.
Pele returned in 2015 to greet the class of '77, telling the crowd: "You can never have another Pele."
Brazil's Dunga, Bebeto and Mauro Silva, and Colombia's René Higuita who showcased his scorpion-kick saves in 2012 all drew big turnouts. German great Oliver Kahn's 2008 farewell match at Salt Lake Stadium pulled more than one lakh spectators.
But no one stirred the city like Diego Maradona, whose 2008 and 2017 visits saw near-unprecedented crowds line the streets and stadiums. Uruguay's Diego Forlán, fresh from his Golden Ball win, received a similarly rousing welcome in 2010.
Then in 2011, Messi had visited the city captaining Argentina for the first time on foreign soil, leading them to a 1-0 win over Venezuela in an FIFA international friendly before a packed Salt Lake Stadium.
