Actor Akshay Kumar warns Bear Grylls about strong Ayurvedic laddoos with apricot gum

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar warned survival expert Bear Grylls to limit his intake of a special Ayurvedic laddoo to just one a day during an appearance on the Discovery Channel show Into the Wild with Bear Grylls. Kumar shared that his personal Ayurvedic doctor prepares the laddoos using apricot tree gum, and recalled an incident where a film director ate three of them and suffered severe digestive trouble the following day.

Expert View

Edwina Raj, who serves as the Head of Services for Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at Aster CMI Hospital in Bangalore, noted that traditional food preparations sometimes use tree gum to add texture and provide soluble fibre. Raj explained that while adding nuts, seeds, ghee, and dried fruits can supply healthy fats, protein, and energy, the exact nutritional value depends entirely on the specific ingredients and quantities used in the recipe.

Health Precautions

Medical experts advise caution because there is limited scientific evidence to support the specific health benefits of apricot tree gum, meaning it should not be treated as a proven remedy for treating joint pain, curing diseases, or improving immunity. Raj also warned that ingredients like ghee, dates, jaggery, and nuts can make the laddoos high in calories and sugar, which can lead to weight gain and spike blood glucose levels for people with diabetes. Individuals managing heart disease or high cholesterol must also monitor the amount of ghee consumed, and anyone with food allergies should avoid the snack completely.

Context

Traditional Indian wellness practices frequently incorporate natural tree gums and desi ghee into homemade dietary supplements for strength and vitality. However, clinical dietitians regularly stress that natural ingredients can still cause adverse side effects or affect blood sugar if consumed in excess without proper medical guidance.