‘we have the best diet’

Alongside it, she wrote, “Dear Indians, we have the best diet, we don’t need to be influenced by anyone…Eat whole foods minimise…intake of ultra processed foods…like…protein shakes or junk.” She further added, “Too much protein makes you dumb.” While her comments have reignited discussions about traditional diets, ultra-processed foods and protein supplements, they also raise important questions about what current evidence actually says regarding protein intake, cancer risk and brain health. We asked an expert to separate fact from fiction.

Diet is one factor among many

Dr Palleti Siva Karthik Reddy, MBBS, MD, general medicine, FAIG, Consultant physician at Elite Care Clinic, tells indianexpress.com, “Diet is an important modifiable risk factor for cancer, but it should never be viewed in isolation. Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of many cancers, while obesity, alcohol use, chronic infections, environmental carcinogens and inherited genetic mutations all have well-established roles.”

Concurring, Dr Jagadish Hiremath, Public Health Intellectual, adds that diet “certainly influences cancer risk, but it is only one part of a much larger picture. Scientific evidence consistently shows that tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, physical inactivity, infections such as HPV and hepatitis B, environmental pollutants, age and genetics all contribute significantly to cancer risk.” It is therefore not scientifically accurate to attribute a country’s lower cancer rates primarily to its traditional diet.

“Cancer incidence varies because of a complex interplay of lifestyle, healthcare access, screening practices, life expectancy, environmental exposures and genetic factors. While diets rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes are associated with better long-term health outcomes, no single dietary pattern can fully explain national cancer trends,” shares Dr Hiremath.

Are protein shakes really junk food?

“Protein shakes should not be judged solely by the fact that they come in a packaged form,” says Dr Reddy, adding that some products contain excessive sugar, saturated fat and artificial additives, while others are formulated simply to provide high-quality protein with minimal additional ingredients. Whether they are beneficial depends on the individual’s nutritional requirements.

People with increased protein needs, Dr Reddy says, such as athletes, older adults experiencing muscle loss, patients recovering from surgery or illness, and those with poor appetite, may benefit from supplementation.

Dr Hiremath mentions that for healthy individuals who consume a balanced diet with adequate protein, supplements are usually unnecessary. “Whole foods should remain the preferred source because they provide fibre, vitamins and other beneficial nutrients that supplements cannot fully replace.”

Does too much protein affect brain function?

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.