PROTEIN DEFICIENCY IN INDIA

Nutraceutical Expert, Director – NutriTech India, Supporter of the Right to Protein initiative, sheds some light on the protein deficiency in India and how the lack of awareness and misinformation about it is a challenge that needs to be overcome

- Dr Suresh Itapu

There is a lot that has been said about food misinformation – it is a serious challenge that has been undermining the nutritional intake of the Indian public across ages and stages. Protein is one such nutrient which is subject to several misconceptions, as evidenced in a recent study commissioned by the Right to Protein Initiative.

A striking insight that emerged from this study of over 2,000 Indian mothers was that although 95% of Indian mothers claimed to recognise protein as a macronutrient, only 3% really understand the main functions of protein or why it should be consumed. This means, while most mothers are on board with the idea of protein in their diet, their understanding of the macronutrient reflects enduring myths and misinformation.