If clothes, workouts and skincare routines can be tailor-made as per individual traits, then why not diets too? After all, ‘eats’ in your DNA! From celebrities like Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Oprah Winfrey, and Andy Samberg who tried the DNA-based diet to common folks, everybody now wants a morsel of the DNA Diet. For the uninitiated, DNA-based diets are meal plans aligned with your genes. But experts have a word of caution for those who may jump on the DNA-diet bandwagon.

Powerhouse Of Benefits

“DNA diets are genome-based diets,” says Dietician Sasikala Thota, Head of Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Renova Century Hospitals, Hyderabad. Sasikala opines that DNA-based diets serve as a powerhouse of health benefits. It’s the perfect epitome of personalisation as these diets follow the readings that come from your DNA test. Sasikala says, “Its benefits include weight management, improved metabolism and sports performance, better muscle composition and a faster recovery rate.” Imagine a gigantic system that takes in data and puts out beneficial bytes of information about your body, aligned with your genetic profile. DNA diets analyse your DNA with expert help and translate that into valuable recommendations.

Food For Thought

The first step for any DNA diet is testing. This could follow from a simple collection of saliva or a cheek swab sample. It goes into a lab for filtering genetic markers and qualities. These markers tell you how your body processes different nutrients.

Khushi Chhabra, a Clinical Nutritionist, says, “These DNA tests help explain your body’s relationship with food.” However, Khushi opines that tests alone wouldn’t give one a holistic picture. She adds, “It’s best to sit down with a trained expert like a nutritionist or health professional who can explain what your results mean and also create a food plan chart best suited for you.”

The test results need further guidance on the dos and don’ts that go into following a DNA diet. Sasikala adds, “DNA-based diets are most accurate for weight loss as they study your genetic markers.” What’s clear is that these genes then help metabolise nutrients, including taking care of your appetite control and fat storage.
Benefits Far & Wide
DNA-based diets are open to everyone regardless of age or gender. This makes them an appealing option for those seeking a more personalised and precise approach to nutrition. By tailoring food choices to your genetic makeup, these diets help optimise how your body processes nutrients and filters out waste.
DNA diets can be particularly beneficial for individuals aiming to lose weight. DNA insights offer a glimpse into how your body responds to different nutrients, helping you make smarter choices-more real and more natural to your body. Sasikala opines that these diets work better as they’re based on genome sequencing. So, no two people would have the same recommendations. Beyond weight loss, DNA diets may also support those managing health conditions like diabetes, nutrient deficiencies, or muscle-related injuries by guiding nutrient intake based on genetic tendencies.
However, nutritionist Khushi offers an important reminder: “Your genes offer clues — not conclusions.” She emphasizes that while DNA can reveal certain predispositions, it doesn’t dictate outcomes. Factors like meal timing, sleep patterns, and stress management play a significant role in your overall health.

Khushi goes a step ahead to warn of DNA kits that could be unreliable, yet are readily available in the market. She quips, “Not all DNA kits

are reliable.” Some lack scientific validation or proper certification, potentially leading to misleading or inaccurate results. In short, while DNA diets do promise a lot, their effectiveness to fit into your system depends on a plethora of variables.

Down the Gene Line

Today, DNA diets come with a bang in terms of personalised nutrition. They offer the potential to tailor, tweak and filter dietary recommendations based on your body’s unique disposition. They indicate what works for you and what doesn’t. While the science behind these diets is still in its infancy stage, experts believe it’s the closest towards having a diet plan personalised solely for your body type. However, it’s important that genetics be thought of only as one piece of the puzzle. A balanced approach to these diets would allow these genes to take you a long way along!
Mindful Checkers

Before planning DNA diets,

check the following:

• Food intolerances

• Food allergies

• Microbiome compositions

• Nutrient Metabolism

• Absorption patterns

‘Eats’ In Your DNA

Celebrities like Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Malaika Arora, Benedict Cumberbatch, Oprah Winfrey, and Andy Samberg have all tried DNA-based diets.