70% of Indians don't meet daily fiber needs; women at greater risk: Survey
New Delhi: On
World Digestive Health Day
, a new survey has revealed that 70 per cent of Indians fall short of their recommended daily fibre intake, putting their digestive health at risk. The fibre gap is even more pronounced among women, with 74 per cent reporting inadequate intake, compared to 64 per cent of men.
The findings—based on responses from over 8 lakh people, including 1.27 lakh via the fiber meter and 7.4 lakh through the digestive quotient test—highlight serious dietary and lifestyle gaps threatening the nation's gut health.
'These numbers should raise an alarm,' said Dr B. S. Ramakrishna, Director & Senior Consultant – Medical Gastroenterology, SRM Institutes for Medical Science, Chennai. 'The gut is central to our overall health, and fibre from whole grains and multigrain sources is critical for maintaining a diverse and healthy gut microbiome. On this World Digestive Health Day, with the theme Nourish to Flourish, we must promote fibre-rich diets as part of preventive health strategies.'
Anuj Rustagi, Chief Operating Officer – Staples and Adjacencies, ITC Foods, said, 'Fibre is a foundational pillar of digestive health, yet most Indian diets don't reflect that. This fibre gap is alarming. We need simple but impactful dietary changes—like adding multigrains, fruits, vegetables, and staying hydrated—to reverse this trend.'
Echoing the sentiment, Anita Jatana, Chief Dietician at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, emphasized that poor dietary habits are a primary cause of rising digestive health problems.
'A fibre-rich diet not only aids digestion but also supplies essential micronutrients. Swapping refined grains with multigrains like whole wheat, oats, and millets, along with good hydration, physical activity, and rest, can dramatically improve digestive wellbeing.'
The findings—based on responses from over eight lakh people on the Aashirvaad Happy Tummy platform, including 1.27 lakh via the fiber meter and 7.4 lakh through the digestive quotient test—highlight serious dietary and lifestyle gaps threatening the nation's gut health.
The data analysed was collected between 2021 and early 2025 from respondents across India. As digestive disorders and non-communicable diseases continue to rise, experts agree: fibre is no longer optional—it's essential.
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