Bombay Shaving Company CEO's Viral LinkedIn Post Highlights Junk Food Addiction in India: Gynae Says How Women Are Worst-Hit

Shantanu Deshpande, CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, has voiced concerns about India’s growing fascination with instant food delivery and its potential consequences on health and nutrition. In a LinkedIn post that quickly went viral, Deshpande shared his disbelief upon learning from the founder of a quick commerce (qcom) food company that meals could be prepared in just two minutes and delivered within eight. "Cook time 2 min, delivery time 8 min. A 'qcom for food' founder told me this, and I lost my mind," he wrote, emphasising the gravity of the issue.

Taking a broader perspective, we explored how this trend might particularly impact women’s health, especially their menstrual health. To gain deeper insights, we reached out to Dr Deepika Aggarwal, Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, to understand the potential effects of junk food on women’s menstrual well-being.

Shantanu Deshpande Raises Alarm Over Rapid Food Delivery

Shantanu Deshpande, founder and CEO of the men’s grooming brand Bombay Shaving Company, has raised serious concerns about India’s increasing reliance on fast food delivery, highlighting its adverse effects on public health. In a LinkedIn post, he described this trend as ‘the biggest epidemic’ of poor nutrition, fuelled by highly processed and ultra-processed foods laden with palm oil and sugar.

"We are suffering from the biggest epidemic of poor nutrition and unhealthy processed and ultra-processed food which is high on palm oil and sugar. Our grains have lost nutrition over the last 50 years as we prioritised agricultural yield over quality nutrition," he wrote.

Deshpande criticised the widespread availability of cheap, unhealthy options such as ₹49 pizzas, ₹20 ‘poison energy drinks,’ and ₹30 burgers, warning that this ‘junk food addiction’ is pushing India down the same path as China and the US, but without the economic stability to address its health consequences. He also urged investors and founders in the food industry to consider the palatability and health implications of the products they promote.

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Junk Food Affects On Women's Overall Health Particularly Hormonal Balance

A diet rich in processed or ultra-processed foods can adversely affect women's general health, particularly their hormonal balance. These foods have high contents of unhealthy fats and sugar with added artificial additives, leading to weight gain, insulin resistance, and inflammation.

Dr Deepika told us, “High sugar intake can distort insulin levels, affecting some hormones like oestrogen and testosterone. Chemicals in processed food can also disrupt the endocrine system, creating problems with irregular periods and mood swings or even PCOS. Such foods cause nutrient deficiency that weakens the ability of the body to produce hormones.”

Can Palm Oil Consumption Worsen Menstrual Disorders Such As PMS, Dysmenorrhea, Or PCOS?

Dr Aggarwal told us excessive consumption of palm oil can worsen menstrual disorders like PMS, dysmenorrhea, and PCOS. The high saturated fat content in palm oil contributes to inflammation, aggravating dysmenorrhea and PMS symptoms. She further said, “It can also lead to weight gain, a factor linked to insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances associated with PCOS.”

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Additionally, processed foods containing palm oil often lack essential nutrients, further disrupting hormone regulation. In contrast, incorporating healthy fats such as omega-3s from sources like fish, nuts, and seeds can help reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and alleviate menstrual symptoms, promoting better reproductive health overall.

Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.

Credits: Freepik/ Shantanu Deshpande Linkedin