10 Traditional Gut Health Indian Foods to Try

3. Chaas (Buttermilk) — A Cooling, Digestive Whey Drink

Chaas is the thin, spiced buttermilk left after churning curd, and many households use it as a post-meal refresher. It is thinner than dahi and often seasoned with roasted cumin, salt, and chopped herbs, making it both hydrating and carminative. The live cultures in chaas aid digestion while the liquid form helps soothe the gut and replace electrolytes. Traditionally, chaas follows a heavy meal or heats of summer to cool and settle the stomach. From a practical angle, make it by whisking curd with water and tempering with a pinch of roasted jeera and chopped coriander. If store-bought, look for low-salt options with live cultures listed. People with lactose intolerance may tolerate chaas better than whole milk because fermentation reduces lactose content. But anyone on a strict low-sodium diet should monitor portion sizes since some preparations can be salty. Keep chaas chilled and use within a day for best flavor and probiotic benefit.