Doctor Explains Why Wellness Foods May Trigger Bloating And Discomfort
Doctor explains healthy foods may still cause bloating.
A growing body of discussion around gut health is raising questions about whether foods commonly labelled as “healthy” may, in some cases, contribute to digestive discomfort such as bloating and irritation. Experts suggest that individual responses to diet vary significantly depending on the composition of a person’s gut microbiome.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Debojyoti Dhar, Co-Founder and Director of Leucine Rich Bio Pvt Ltd (BugSpeaks), explained that the gut is not a passive digestive system but an active biological network that responds differently to various foods. He noted that each meal sends signals to trillions of microbes that influence immunity, metabolism, and inflammation, meaning dietary effects are not uniform across individuals.
Dr Dhar said that one of the most common misconceptions in modern nutrition is the assumption that foods marketed as healthy will benefit everyone equally. He argued that wellness trends and food branding often create a “health halo” around certain products, leading consumers to overlook how individual digestive systems may react differently.
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He pointed out that items such as protein bars, flavoured yogurts, sugar-free snacks, and superfood smoothies are widely perceived as healthy choices but may not always be suitable for every gut. According to him, many of these products contain ingredients such as emulsifiers, gums, sugar alcohols, and preservatives that some people’s digestive systems struggle to process.
The expert emphasised that intolerance in such cases does not necessarily indicate poor health but rather reflects the unique composition of an individual’s microbiome. He added that variations in gut bacteria can influence how effectively the body processes certain additives commonly found in packaged wellness foods. Dr Dhar further explained that the growing popularity of processed “health foods” has made dietary choices more complex, rather than simpler, for many consumers.
While these products are often marketed as beneficial, their actual impact may depend heavily on individual biological responses rather than universal nutritional value. The discussion highlights an evolving understanding of nutrition, where personalised dietary approaches are increasingly being considered more relevant than one-size-fits-all recommendations, particularly in the context of digestive health and microbiome diversity.
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