EXPLORING THE THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF TRADITIONAL INDIAN DIETS IN MANAGING CHRONIC DISEASES

Abstract [English]

Traditional Indian diets, deeply rooted in Ayurvedic and cultural practices, have gained renewed scientific attention for their role in preventing and managing chronic diseases. These diets emphasize plant-based foods, diverse grains, pulses, fermented foods, spices, and healthy fats—collectively offering a balance of macronutrients, micronutrients, and bioactive phytochemicals. This study explores the therapeutic potential of traditional Indian dietary patterns in mitigating chronic metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and inflammatory conditions.

A hypothetical comparative model was constructed using literature-based data to analyze the nutrient composition and preventive efficacy of three dietary patterns: a Traditional Indian diet, a Western diet, and a Mediterranean diet. Parameters such as glycemic load, antioxidant content, and inflammatory markers were compared. The findings suggest that the Traditional Indian diet demonstrates superior outcomes in reducing oxidative stress (by ~30%) and systemic inflammation (by ~25%), while maintaining favorable lipid and glucose profiles.

The results underscore that traditional Indian dietary practices—characterized by whole grains (millets, brown rice), pulses, fermented dairy, and functional spices (turmeric, cumin, fenugreek)—offer a holistic, food-based therapeutic approach. These findings reinforce the value of cultural dietary wisdom when integrated with modern nutritional science, supporting chronic disease prevention through sustainable, regionally adapted nutrition strategies.