Doctor describes poor eating and sleeping habits of Indians in viral post

An average Indian eats and sleeps at the wrong time, drinks everything except water, then calls it a normal day, said Dr Parameshwara, a Bengaluru-based colorectal surgeon and gut specialist who has shared about the lifestyle of Indians.

He further warned that ignoring these habits could lead to health complications and even surgery in the future.

Parameshwara, with over 25 years of experience, shared on a post on Instagram related to lifestyle habits, saying, “The average Indian eats at the wrong time, sleeps at the wrong time, drinks everything but water, and calls it a normal day.”

He shared that several unhealthy daily habits followed by many Indians are silently damaging gut health and could eventually lead to serious medical complications.

The doctor first highlighted the habit of eating dinner late at night, saying that food consumed after 9 pm often does not digest properly and instead ferments, “leading to gas, bloating and acid reflux,” he quotes. He advised people to finish dinner earlier to improve digestion.

He also warned against irregular eating schedules by saying “skipping meals or eating at random hours confuses the digestive system and can trigger cramps, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).”

The gut specialist further criticised the growing dependence on ultra-processed and packaged foods such as biscuits, chips and instant noodles, saying “Your gut bacteria simply cannot survive this.”

Another major concern raised by the surgeon was inadequate water intake, “Chronic dehydration is the #1 reason Indians get constipation, fissures and piles,” he added.

Dr Parameshwara also stressed the importance of fibre-rich food, warning that diets dominated by maida and white rice with no salad or vegetables can severely affect digestion.

He quoted ‘poor sleep’ patterns as another major reason behind poor health, it can disrupt bowel rhythm and directly trigger acidity and IBS symptoms.

Lastly, he warned that ignoring these habits could lead to surgery in future, saying, “the pain you are ignoring today is the surgery you will need tomorrow.”