Ayurveda and The Six Tastes : Our guide to a diet based on our body type.

As we all are Welcoming 2020, let us make health our topmost priority. May this year bring you all health, happiness, and prosperity. In this first blog of 2020, we are going to educate you about Ayurveda and 6 tastes of Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is the world’s most sophisticated mind-body health system developed thousands of years prior to modern medicine by the sages of India. Ayurveda is the science of life and instead of just treating symptoms of any illness, it addresses the root cause of the illness. It focuses on improving the health of mind, body, spirit, and environment so that we can experience our fullest potential by achieving a state of optimal well being.

As per Ayurveda, Our health depends on our body’s ability to metabolize everything which it takes into it from the environment including food, beverages, experiences, air, and emotions. Our digestive fire is responsible for this function. When our digestive fire is healthy and strong we will easily digest our food and daily experiences to absorb all the nutrients required so that we can produce healthy cells, muscles, tissues, and bones. When our digestive fire is weak, we cannot properly metabolize the food as well as experiences which we intake which results in production of toxins in our body and this leads to weak physical as well as emotional health. The strength of our digestive fire depends on the food we eat and drink as well as on our environment.

According to Ayurveda, there are 6 different types of tastes and they are our GPS to optimal health.

6 Different tastes are:- Sweet, Sour, Salty, Bitter, Pungent and Astringent. To determine the right Ayurvedic diet for your body type, we first have to determine your Dosha, Prakriti, and Vikriti. You can find an authentic quiz online to determine your body type and the right diet for your body type.

Also, you can Contact me to determine your body type and the right diet for your body type. It is important for us to know that when we consume all the 6 tastes in our meal, we are taking a balanced diet.

As per Ayurveda all food is categorized by above mentioned 6 tastes:-

The sweet taste comes from food rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and fat. For example, whole grains, fruits, dairy, nuts, cereals, pasta, bread, oil, honey, maple syrup, and sugar. This taste when consumed from right sources like whole grains, organic food, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, helps calm nerves and build tissues. At the same time, this tastes increases Kapha and helps to pacify Vata and Pitta.

The sour taste comes from foods that have acid like citric acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, etc. A regular does of Sour tastes improves your digestive fire, slows down gastric dumping and insulin resistance. But at the same time, sour taste from some sources is better than others and do not take it in access. Try to stick to sources like berries, lemon and citrus fruits, yogurt, fermented condiments, etc. Also, this taste increases Kapha and Pitta. It helps to pacify Vata.

The Salty Taste comes from table salt, fish, soy salt, seaweeds, etc. In right amount, it helps to improve the taste of food, improves digestion and lubrication but too much salt can contribute to high blood pressure, water retention and osteoporosis. It helps to pacify Vata but increases Pitta and Kapha.

The Pungent Taste is often described as Hot and spicy. It comes from peppers, ginger, onions, garlic, mustard, clove, cardamom, cinnamon, chive, leeks, radish, black pepper, etc. These foods are natural antioxidants. It helps in improving digestion and neutralizing cancer-causing free radicals. So go ahead and add some spice to your food as well as your life. This food group helps to pacify Kapha but increases Pitta and Vata.

The Bitter Taste comes from green and yellow vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bitter melon, Fenugreek, spinach, kale, almonds with skin, etc. This group is very high in Flavonoids and Phytonutrients. It helps to prevent cancer, diabetes and heart diseases. This food group pacifies Kapha and Pitta but increases Vata.

The Astringent taste comes foods like legumes, beans, tart apple, lemons, cucumbers, figs, cranberries, buttermilk, cherries, celery, bell peppers, potatoes, black tea, green tea, coffee, whole wheat, peas, and rye. This regulates digestion and promotes wound healing. This taste pacifies Kapha and Pitta but increases Vata.

So all these 6 tastes are the foundation of the Ayurvedic diet. Ayurveda recommends that we should consume fresh, cooked meals and should not eat overly stale meals. Also, it recommends eating a plant-based wholesome diet.

In addition to nurturing your body with the right diet, it is highly important to nurture your mind and spirit for emotional well-being. Hence form a habit of practicing self-love, meditation exercise, yoga, mindfulness, laughter, spending time in nature.

Do you want to improve your well-being in 2020? Let’s join hands for a better future.

Feel free Contact me for more information.