AYUSH Diet And Its Healing Benefits
Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) is a medical system practiced in India on the basis of definite medical philosophies. According to AYUSH, therapy alone cannot be the cure to matters related to health. Diet too, plays an important role as it is in direct relationship with the eater. Therefore, problems in the body can occur due to incorrect combinations of food and due to eating unfamiliar food.
Under the AYUSH school of thought, it is believed that temperament, mental and spiritual development is influenced by an individual’s food intake. After the food goes into the body, it is converted into rasa or chyle and then it is transformed into muscle, blood, fat, bone marrow, and reproductive elements. In this manner, food forms the key for all life activities. And the improper transformation of food can result in different types of health problems.
AYUSH advocates consumption of food in its natural form so that all the benefits are conferred to the body. For instance, instead of consuming packed fruit juices, AYUSH advises eating fresh fruits and green vegetables. AYUSH has also broadly classified food into three categories:
Soothing Diet:
This form of diet consists of sprouts, salads, fresh fruits, steamed or boiled vegetables, etc.
Eliminative Diet:
It consists of a liquid diet such as buttermilk, coconut water, citric juices, lemon, wheat grass juices, and vegetable soups.
Constructive Diet:
It includes unpolished rice, wholesome flour, curd, and pulses.
All these foods are alkaline in nature and help to alter the acidity or pH value of the body. Thus, an alkaline diet purifies the body, boosts immunity and improves overall health. Ideally, AYUSH suggests a diet that is 80 per cent alkaline and 20 per cent acidic for maintaining good health. Here are some of the other health benefits of following an AYUSH diet:
- It brings down stress levels and anxiety
- It helps control blood pressure and cholesterol
- Promotes quick recovery from injuries and illnesses
- Reduces inflammation and boosts immunity
- Supports hormone balance
With busy schedules and limited time to prepare healthy meals, consuming well-balanced meals and following a nutritious diet has become challenging for people across all classes and sectors. Further, erratic lifestyles and easily available ready-to-eat options have led to nutritional deficiencies. The AYUSH diet brings one’s lifestyle in sync with nature, eases stress and promises to offer ample benefits, right from hormones to appetites.