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    HEALTH & WELLNESS                                                     AUGUST 14, 2026      |  The Indian Eye 42

              Manisha Koirala Says Ageing                                                                         Supercharged millet

                                                                                                                   improves children’s
            Redefined Her Fitness Journey                                                                            gut health: study

                                                                                                                        ew Delhi: A specially devel-
                                                                                                                        oped variety of millet enriched
                    umbai: Actor and cancer                                                                       Nwith prebiotic compounds
                    survivor Manisha Koirala
            Mhas opened up about how                                                                              could help improve gut health and
                                                                                                                  nutrition in children without the gas-
            ageing and her battle with cancer                                                                     trointestinal side effects commonly
            have transformed her understanding                                                                    associated with conventional fibre sup-
            of health, saying wellness is no longer                                                               plements, according to new research.
            about chasing perfection but about                                                                    The findings offer a promising food-
            caring for the body with patience, bal-                                                               based strategy to tackle childhood
            ance and consistency. Her reflections                                                                 malnutrition and poor gut health, par-
            have resonated widely, offering a re-                                                                 ticularly in low- and middle-income
            alistic perspective on healthy ageing                                                                 countries where stunting remains
            and long-term recovery.                                                                               a major public health challenge.
                The 55-year-old actor shared
                                                                                                                      Researchers found that the en-
            that the physical changes that come                                                                   hanced millet promotes the growth
            with age have prompted her to adopt                                                                   of beneficial gut bacteria by naturally
            a gentler and more sustainable ap-                                                                    delivering prebiotics through a com-
            proach to fitness. Instead of focusing                                                                monly consumed staple food. Unlike
            on appearance or intense workouts,                                                                    many  commercial  fibre  supplements
            she now prioritises strength, mobility                                                                that can cause bloating, abdominal
            and overall well-being. She empha-                                                                    discomfort or poor compliance, the
            sised that healing is an ongoing pro-                                                                 fortified  millet  was  designed  to  be
            cess and that listening to the body’s                                                                 better tolerated while supporting a
            changing needs has become central   choices made every day rather than   a vital role in maintaining health as   healthier gut microbiome.
            to her lifestyle.                 quick results.                    people grow older.                    Scientists said the innovation
                Having successfully overcome      The actor also highlighted the    Koirala’s message arrives at a
            ovarian cancer  over a decade ago,   importance  of  adapting  fitness  rou-  time when conversations around   could provide a sustainable and cul-
                                                                                                                  turally acceptable dietary intervention
            Koirala said the experience funda-  tines with age, encouraging people   healthy ageing and preventive   for children at risk of malnutrition.
            mentally changed her relationship   to focus on gradual progress rath-  healthcare are gaining momentum.   Since millet is already widely cultivat-
            with health. She noted that recovery   er than comparing themselves with   Her journey from cancer survivor   ed and consumed across parts of Asia
            extends beyond medical treatment   younger versions of themselves. Ex-  to  wellness  advocate continues  to   and Africa, integrating the improved
            and includes consistent self-care,   perts have increasingly advocated   inspire many, reinforcing that resil-  grain into everyday diets may prove
            emotional resilience and mindful   similar approaches, stressing that   ience, consistency and self-compas-  easier than relying on supplements or
            living. According to her, wellness   regular  strength  training,  flexibility   sion remain the foundations of life-  fortified products alone.
            is built through small, disciplined   exercises and adequate recovery play   long health.
                                                                                                                      The study comes amid growing
                                                                                                                  evidence highlighting the critical role
             FSSAI Cautions Dabur Over Misleading Labelling                                                       of gut health in childhood growth and
                                                                                                                  development.  Previous research  has
                                                                                                                  shown that disruptions in the gut mi-
                                                                                                                  crobiome can impair nutrient absorp-
                   ew Delhi: The Food Safety   such marketing practices have the    Responding  to  the  directive,   tion, contribute to chronic intestinal
                   and Standards Authority of   potential to create a false impression   Dabur said it is complying with the   inflammation and increase the risk of
            NIndia (FSSAI) has directed       among consumers regarding a prod-  regulator’s order by revising product   stunting even when children receive ad-
            Dabur India to immediately stop the   uct’s composition and quality.  labels carrying the disputed claims.   equate food. Scientists are increasingly
            sale of several food products market-                               The company added that it is seek-  focusing on food-based approaches
            ed with “100%” claims, ruling that   The regulatory action is part   ing legal advice and maintained that   that restore healthy gut bacteria rather
            such labels are ambiguous, unverifi-                                its products comply with applicable   than simply increasing calorie intake.
            able and likely to mislead consumers.   of a broader push by FSSAI to  quality and safety standards.      Experts believe functional foods
            The action covers products including   tighten oversight of food label-  Consumer  health experts have   such  as  biofortified  millet  could  be-
            honey, cow ghee, virgin coconut oil,                                welcomed the move, saying absolute   come an important component of fu-
            sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, coco-  ling and ensure greater trans-  purity claims can create a “health   ture nutrition programmes by combin-
            nut milk and tender coconut water.  parency in consumer commu-      halo” that influences purchasing de-  ing local dietary habits with advances
                According to the food regula-  nication. The authority has      cisions  without  providing  verifiable   in agricultural and nutritional science.
            tor, claims such as “100% Natural”,                                 evidence.                         While further clinical studies are need-
            “100% Pure”, “100% Purity Guar-   increasingly focused on curb-         The latest action signals stricter   ed to confirm long-term health benefits
            anteed” and “100% Organic” violate   ing exaggerated or misleading   enforcement of advertising norms   in children, researchers say the findings
            the Food Safety and Standards (Ad-                                  and serves as a warning to food   represent an encouraging step towards
            vertising and Claims) Regulations,   health and purity claims made   companies against making sweeping   developing affordable, accessible and
            2018, as they cannot be substantiated   by food manufacturers.      claims  that  cannot  be  scientifically   sustainable solutions to improve child
            with absolute certainty. FSSAI said                                 substantiated.                    nutrition and gut health worldwide.

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