The co-founder of Zerodha, Nithin Kamath, sounded a striking warning: the Indians drink more soft drinks than ever, deepening the crisis of the already alarming diabetes of the country.
“Here is something concern about a recent gains call from a drinking manufacturer: Indians consume more soft drinks than ever. Even Indian companies have said something similar,” wrote Kamath on X. “Remember, India is the epicenter of the global diabetes epidemic.”
Kamath has long reported diabetes as a time bomb for India, which now has the largest number of diabetics in the world. Once rejected as a “rich person disease”, diabetes is now anchored in all socio-economic groups.
Quoting a recent study, Kamath stressed that 21 Indian ranges live with diabetes, with urban young people faced with particularly dark chances. “If you are a 20-year-old woman living in a city today, you have 64.6% chance of developing diabetes during your life. For young men, it’s 55.5%,” he noted.
What makes the crisis more dangerous is general ignorance. Kamath stressed that more than 27% of diabetics were unaware of their condition, and even less looking for treatment. The weakness of the low health insurance coverage of India is aggravated. “Less than 20% of Indians have health insurance. Most end up paying their pockets, which is a huge burden for poor and low-income households,” he said.
Kamath stressed that there is no unique solution. “We need several approaches, public awareness campaigns and insurance coverage for vulnerable groups to early detection programs,” he said.
He also highlighted the power of small lifestyle changes. “The addition of a few additional minutes of exercise every day or the reduction in sitting time can make a big difference. Even walking or cycling five more minutes per day lowers the risk of diabetes,” advised Kamath.
While Zerodha supports startups focused on preventive health, Kamath called for a systemic collective effort. “This is a challenge that needs all those involved – from individuals to government – to act.”
