In a recent initiative by HT Lifestyle, Dr. Pawan Rawal, a senior gastroenterologist at Medanta in Gurugram, answered ten common questions regarding digestive health among Indians. He explained that consuming milk-based chai can lead to increased acidity, particularly on an empty stomach, while high-fat foods are more likely to cause acid reflux than spices. The article also discusses how legumes like rajma and urad dal can cause bloating due to their oligosaccharide content, and traditional soaking methods can help mitigate this. Dr. Rawal noted that lactose intolerance is prevalent in India, but fermented products like curd are often better tolerated. He advised that late dinners can exacerbate acid reflux and that excessive consumption of traditional pickles may lead to digestive discomfort. Additionally, he emphasized that chronic acidity should be medically assessed rather than solely managed with over-the-counter antacids. The importance of addressing lifestyle factors, including stress and physical activity, is also highlighted as crucial for digestive health.