Navratri isn’t just a celebration of devotion and dance. It’s also a period when kitchens across India turn to a unique set of fasting foods. Plates are filled with colourful fruits, nut-based snacks, root vegetables, and gluten-free flours like kuttu and singhara. But beyond the cultural symbolism, a question arises: do these traditional staples genuinely support cardiovascular wellness, or are they simply seasonal indulgences dressed in the garb of ritual?

“Many of the foods eaten during Navratri are naturally high in nutrients that are good for the heart. Apples, papayas and pomegranates provide antioxidants and fibre, while almonds and walnuts offer unsaturated fats that balance cholesterol levels," says Dr. Rahul Mehrotra, Chief – NIC & Clinical Cardiology, Artemis Hospitals, Gurugra

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