The Sanskrit term Ayurveda means “knowledge of life,” and the principles of this ancient wisdom remind us that the entire web of life is intricately interwoven. With a unique focus on holistic wellness, the art and science of Ayurveda work to harmonize our inner and outer worlds.
Our five senses serve as portals between the inner and outer realms, while the five great elements ether, air, fire, water and earth dance the dance of creation around and within us.
Ayurveda groups these five elements into three basic energies and functional principles that are present in everything and everything.
Ayurveda is nothing new it is practiced in India for a very long long time It’s a centuries-old practice. But with celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Aaron Rodgers and Kourtney Kardashian touting the benefits of the lifestyle, it’s become a wellness trend that’s piqued people’s interest.
The basics of Ayurveda: Understanding energy patterns and doshas
It’s believed that people have three energy patterns, known as doshas:
- Vata stands for air and ether. This dosha maintains electrolyte balance and helps eliminate waste.
- Pitta stands for fire and water. Pitta regulates body temperature and our hunger and thirst mechanisms.
- Kapha stands for earth and water. This dosha is responsible for healthy joints.
The belief is that when they are aligned, processes such as digestion, metabolism and immune regulation work at peak performance and reduce the risk of chronic health problems. As there are no single English words to describe these principles yogis use the Sanskrit words vata, pitta and kapha to describe their combinations.
What is the ayurvedic diet and how it impacts your body and health?
According to Ayurvedic practice, each of us has a dominant dosha and your diet can help balance it. The doshas are believed to be associated with various bodily functions. For example, Vata controls catabolism or the breakdown of substances, and Vata-dominant people are considered thin or have delicate bodies. Pitta rules metabolism, so Pitta-dominant people can have large appetites and muscular physiques.
Meanwhile, anabolism, the way the body builds and repairs internal organs Structures It is overseen by Kapha, and this domain is thought to correspond to a slower metabolism.
According to Ayurveda general guidance about the best and worst foods to eat for each dosha:
1. Vata dominance
- Best foodsVata’s attributes are cold and dry, so Vata’s dominance is balanced by warm, moist foods such as soups, stews, stews, boiled apples, and soaked dates. Vata dominance also benefits from hot spices.
- Worst foods to balance Vata dominance, nightshade veggies, such as potatoes, peppers and eggplant, should be avoided. Likewise, nuts and seeds should be avoided in their crunchy state and consumed as either nut butter or nut milk instead. It’s also best for Vatas to avoid cold, raw and frozen foods as well as sweets.
2. Pitta dominance
- Best foods Since Pitta types have fiery qualities, they benefit from fresh, non-spicy foods. Vegetarianism is great for pittas, and raw vegetables like salads are emphasized in the warmer months. Grains like barley, rice, and oats are other staple foods for people with Pitta dominance.
- Worst foods Since Pitta benefits from cold foods, hot spices like cinnamon and turmeric are often limited. Pitta qualities are also balanced when salt is reduced and oils, coffee and alcohol are limited.
3. Kapha dominance
- Best foods Kapha types are balanced by leafy greens and other vegetables grown above ground. They eat fewer grains than the other species, but millet is one of the preferred grains. For protein, legumes are preferable to animal protein. Honey is the only sweetener suitable for this dosha. Spices are good for Kaphas.
- Worst foods Since kapha dominance is associated with a slower metabolism, sweets and fried or greasy foods are rarely eaten. Dairy products are also limited when kapha dominance is balanced. Also, this guy shouldn’t drink ice cold drinks.
Benefits of the ayurvedic diet
Since kapha dominance is associated with a slower metabolism, sweets and fried or greasy foods are rarely eaten. Dairy products are also limited when the Kapha domain is balanced. Also, this guy shouldn’t drink ice-cold drinks.
Another small study found that following an Ayurveda-based lifestyle change program that included diet changes and yoga classes resulted in an average weight loss of 6 kg (13 pounds) over 9 months. But remember that Ayurveda is a holistic approach to balancing your dosha, so it goes beyond your eating habits. For example, movements such as yoga and meditation are encouraged on a daily basis and there are numerous benefits associated with these practices.
Yoga has been extensively studied and shown to help reduce stress. , anxiety, depression and muscle pain. Yoga also offers additional health benefits.
According to a review comparing the effects of yoga in people with type 2 diabetes, yoga resulted in better blood sugar control and improved cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
In addition, a small study found that combining an Ayurvedic diet to manage kapha mastery with yoga practice three times a week resulted in weight loss. Participants lost an average of about 8 pounds over the 12-week period and continued to lose weight after the study period, losing a total of about 13 pounds over six months.
However, the study had no comparison group. Similarly, meditation can help improve health conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It can also help you have more control over food and increase your enjoyment of food, making it a perfect complement to Ayurvedic diet strategies.