Gray hair and wrinkles can be a testimony of wisdom. But in a stressful world we often get caught up in equating our worth with productivity that could weigh on us post-retirement. Everyone, at every stage of life is a gift to the world. That said, aging does bring preventable and costly health challenges that we need to face squarely, from heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, arthritis, dry skin, falling hair, cognitive decline, stroke and cancer. There is also the possibility of depletion, loneliness and ageism. So, how can we look after ourselves better to ensure we are physically and mentally stronger as we age? Ayurveda is a holistic mind-body science which supports people through a comprehensive approach to live a healthier life right into their sunset years. It emphasizes that aging ( Jara ) is a natural process just like the seasons. It does acknowledge natural degenerative changes but recommends prevention, building resilience and an anti-aging regimen through its br
What is the best meal you’ve ever eaten?
Imagine it now: what do you see, what do you smell, what do you taste?
Taste has a strong pull for humans. We have emotional connections to
tastes; your mom’s chocolate chip cookies she always made for your
birthday, the taste of the Brussels sprouts your grandma made you eat
against your will. And we have strong biological connections to taste as
well. Taste indicates to the body what kind of nutritional value a food
has, sweet will comfort us, spicy will warm us up.
In Ayurveda, it’s said that digestion starts the moment food hits
your mouth. There are approximately 10,000 taste buds in the mouth and
only about 8,000 of them are found on the tongue. The rest are found on
your lips, cheeks, roof of the mouth and throat. These taste buds help
to signal your body to release the appropriate enzymes needed to break
down the given food.
Ayurveda identifies 6 different tastes and recommends incorporating all six into your diet to maintain nutritional balance.
Madhura (Sweet)
Madhura is the sweet taste found in food which is comforting and
fulfilling in small doses. Madhura is high in the elements of earth and
water and is balancing to Vata and Pitta Doshas. Too much sweet can send
Kaphas off kilter.
While there are many different sources to get our sugar fix, the best
sources are sweet fruits, starchy vegetables, grains, wheat products,
dairy products like milk and cheese, and natural sweeteners like honey
and maple syrup.
Sweet foods prevent dehydration by increasing moisture in the body
and can help with constipation. Sweet foods can also help balance
hormones, soothe mucus membranes and can contribute to beautiful,
glowing skin.
But eat in moderation, as sweet foods in excess can contribute to weight gain, diabetes and heart disease.
Amla (Sour)
Amla is the sour taste, made up of earth and fire elements. Sour
foods can aid digestion and help nourish the organs and blood. Amla is
very balancing to Vatas who generally have a weak digestive fire. Pittas
should avoid sour foods if they feel they have excess heat in the body.
Kaphas should moderate the amount of sour food in their diets.
The best sources of sour tastes are lemons, limes, grapefruit, apple
cider vinegar, fermented foods and dairy products like yogurt, sour
cream and kefir.
Sour foods can help the digestive processes in your body allowing
your body to break down food more efficiently. Sour foods also help
energize the body and can improve your circulation.
Too much sour in the diet can lead to hyperacidity, diarrhea, excessive thirst and cause eczema flare ups.
Lavana (Salty)
Lavana is the salty taste found in food and is made up of water and
fire. Salt helps to enhance the flavor of food and also helps to
energize us, aides in digestion and can help with nutrient absorption in
the body. Salty taste can be very balancing for Vata but excessive salt
can be irritating to Pitta and Kapha Doshas.
Good sources of salt can be found, of course, in salt, but also in celery, olives, tamari, sea vegetables, soy sauce and miso.
Excessive salt, especially found in processed foods, should be
avoided. Too much salt in the diet can lead to hypertension,
dehydration, intestinal inflammation and bloating.
Katu (Pungent)
Katu is the pungent taste found in spicy foods, garlic, onions,
ginger and radishes. The pungent taste is made up of fire and air and is
best for Kaphas. Vatas can benefit from a moderate amount of pungent
food but should be careful as it can be drying for them. Pittas do best
with the least amount of pungent food due to its ability to overheat.
Warming foods like chilies, black pepper, chili powder, ginger and mustard are also great sources of the pungent taste.
Pungent foods can help aid the digestive fire and help the body
detoxify. Pungent tastes can help with weight loss, and warming pungent
foods can help clear the sinuses.
Tikta (Bitter)
Tikta is the bitter taste made up of air and ether elements. Bitter
tastes are most balancing for Pitta and Kapha Doshas. Bitter foods help
to detoxify the body and help with a cleansing mechanism of the body
called lekhana, which is the scraping of fat and toxins from your body.
Great sources of bitter tastes can be found in raw kale, collard
greens, Brussels sprouts, fenugreek, dill, turmeric, cacao, coffee, most
teas, zucchini and eggplant.
Kashaya (Astringent)
Kashaya is the astringent taste, known for causing a dry taste in the
mouth or causing you to pucker your mouth. Made up of air and earth
elements, this taste is most beneficial to Pitta and Kapha Doshas.
Astringent tastes can be found in cranberries, unripe bananas, pomegranates, green beans, legumes, turnips and artichokes.
Astringent foods are cooling and grounding. Astringent foods can help
combat diarrhea and water retention, can help aid the process of
lekhana (scraping fat from the system) and are anti-inflammatory.
The Take Away
Ayurveda believes the six tastes should be consumed everyday to promote balance within the body.
Vatas should focus on more sweet, salty and sour tastes in their diets and limit pungent, bitter and astringent tastes.
Pittas need sweet, bitter and astringent tastes more than pungent, sour and salty tastes.
Kaphas should incorporate more bitter, astringent and pungent tastes in their diet and decrease sweet, salty and sour tastes.
Taste is an important function of our body and Ayurveda recognizes
the essential role it plays in our health. When we focus on the six
tastes, we are able to intuitively create nutritional meals that will
nourish our bodies and learn to eat mindfully.
Think back to that meal again, which of the essential six tastes can you find?
https://www.youveda.com/the-six-tastes-of-ayurveda/
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