Changes

=== Significance of proper digestion of food to obtain good health, strength and long life ===

=== Significance of proper digestion of food to obtain good health, strength and long life ===

परिणमतस्त्वाहारस्य [१] गुणाः शरीरगुणभावमापद्यन्ते यथास्वमविरुद्धाः; विरुद्धाश्च विहन्युर्विहताश्च विरोधिभिः शरीरम्||१६|| (cha.Sha.6.16)

Ahara is indispensable for survival and maintenance of [[Sharira (शरीरम्)|shariram]] in this loka (world). Thus it is highly regarded. However, Ahara can not be utilized as it is by body building tissues. In order to acquire all the benefits from ahara i.e. longevity, strength, lusture, nourishment, growth, [[Ojas (ओजः)|ojas]], health and well-being, it is necessary that ahara gets completely digested and transformed properly into rasa dhatu. <ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> The completely transformed ahara can become the part of this body provided it is of the similar properties and not contrary to that of body tissues. And when such ahara similar in quality to that of body tissues nourishes the body components, all the desired benefits from ahara can be obtained. <blockquote>परिणमतस्त्वाहारस्य गुणाः शरीरगुणभावमापद्यन्ते यथास्वमविरुद्धाः; विरुद्धाश्च विहन्युर्विहताश्च विरोधिभिः शरीरम् (cha.Sha.6.16)<ref>Charaka Samhita (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 6 Sutra 16-17)</ref></blockquote>On the contrary when the transformed ahara possesses qualities that are opposite in nature of that of body tissues which build strength, it can not nourish and replenish [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]] but lead to disease development. Thus proper pachanam of ahara is highly important in order to stay healthy, fit and strong. This pachanam is controlled by multiple factors. The portion size or quantity of food is one of those. Ayurveda acharyas have also described other factors that should be closely monitored to reap the superior goodness from Ahara in all aspects of life . These factors are called as Ashta Ahara vidhi visheshayatanas. <ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 2 Sutra 4)</ref>

शरीरगुणाः [१] पुनर्द्विविधाः सङ्ग्रहेण- मलभूताः, प्रसादभूताश्च|

 

Ayurveda believes that, Bala (Strength) and Ayu (longevity) of a person are dependent on one's ahara. Therefore assessing one's food (intake) capacity could be a good criterion to assess one's strength and longevity as well. Thus, assessment of this parameter is one part of clinical examination of a patient which a Ayurveda practitioner performs.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 94)</ref> It is believed that, not just the food intake capacity but also the capacity to digest the consumed food is also equally important to get rough idea of one's strength and longevity.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 8 sutra 120)</ref> Ayurveda gives high importance to the digestion and transformation of ingested food and therefore is is considered as the integral part of examination of a patient.  

तत्र मलभूतास्ते ये शरीरस्याबाधकराः स्युः| cha sha 6.17

== Ahara matra ==

== Ahara matra ==

=== Based on property of food article ===

=== Based on agni ===

द्रवोत्तरो द्रवश्चापि न मात्रागुरुरिष्यते ||४९५|| Su.Su.46/495

मात्राशी स्यात्| आहारमात्रा पुनरग्निबलापेक्षिणी| (Char. Samh. 5.3) <ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 5 sutra 3)</ref>

 

The food articles that are guru (heavy for digestion or take long time to get digested) should be taken half their satiety level experienced by the consumer while foods that are laghu (light on digestion) can be taken upto the satisfaction. <blockquote>गुरूणामर्धसौहित्यं लघूनां तृप्तिरिष्यते | द्रवोत्तरो द्रवश्चापि न मात्रागुरुरिष्यते  (Sush. Samh. 46.495) <ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 46 Sutram 495)</ref></blockquote>

आहारमात्रा पुनरग्निबलापेक्षिणी||३|| (Cha.Su. 5.3)

=== Based on volume or quantity ===

=== Based on volume or quantity ===

Ayurveda acharyas give guidelines for deciding right quantity or portion of food that is being consumed. This has been described on the basis of physical form of food and the space  available within imaginary partitions inside the stomach. If we consider that the stomach is divided into 3 parts then, for solid food and liquids one compartment each is to be utilized while a sufficient space i.e. one third space is to be kept vacant for movement of doshas which participate in the process of digestion.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 2 Sutram 3)</ref> Moral of the entire consideration is that one should not over-stuff the stomach with food. solids and liquids both should be taken in balanced proportion and at the same time some part of your stomach should be kept empty to facilitate easy digestion.   

Ayurveda acharyas give guidelines for deciding right quantity or portion of food that is being consumed. This has been described on the basis of physical form of food and the space  available within imaginary partitions inside the stomach. If we consider that the stomach is divided into 3 parts then, for solid food and liquids one compartment each is to be utilized while a sufficient space i.e. one third space is to be kept vacant for movement of doshas which participate in the process of digestion.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 2 Sutram 3)</ref> Moral of the entire consideration is that one should not over-stuff the stomach with food. solids and liquids both should be taken in balanced proportion and at the same time some part of your stomach should be kept empty to facilitate easy digestion.   

=== Prakruti and ahara matra ===

=== Prakrti and ahara matra ===

Kapha- alpa- A.H.SHA.3.101

 

* Kapha- The people with kapha [[Prakrti in Ayurveda (प्रकृतिः)|prakrti]] eat alpa (less). <ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 3 Sutra 101)</ref>

Pitta- Prabhuta ashana pana , dandashuka Cha vi. 8.97

* Pitta- Those with Pitta dominant constitution eat a lot and also frequently.<ref name=":10">Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 97-98 )</ref>

 

* Vata- Those with vata dominant constitution tend to eat less and in small quantities.<ref name=":10" />

Vata- Laghu ahara Cha vi 8.98

=== How do I understand I have eaten in right quantity? ===

=== How do I understand I have eaten in right quantity? ===

Few examples of aharanupana are given in the classical literature. Selection of these anupanas are based on the properties of that food, the health condition or desired health effect for that person etc. For vata dominant conditions and food, anupana that is snigdha (unctuous) and ushna (hot) in properties is chosen. Various types of fermented preparations made from herbs can prove to be good choice of anupana. However this is to be started under the guidance a qualified [[Vaidya (वैद्यः)|Vaidya]] in order to avoid untoward side effects.  

Few examples of aharanupana are given in the classical literature. Selection of these anupanas are based on the properties of that food, the health condition or desired health effect for that person etc. For vata dominant conditions and food, anupana that is snigdha (unctuous) and ushna (hot) in properties is chosen. Various types of fermented preparations made from herbs can prove to be good choice of anupana. However this is to be started under the guidance a qualified [[Vaidya (वैद्यः)|Vaidya]] in order to avoid untoward side effects.  

== Ashta Ahara vidhi vishesha ayatanani ==

== Ashta Ahara vidhi vishesha ayatanani ==

This includes points like the quantity to be consumed, accompaniments to be chosen while taking that food, time to eat that food etc. This provides guideline for healthy eating practices. It is believed that, food consumed after considering these factors and implementing these rules provides all benefits and does not become the cause for ailments. On the other hand, food can be the cause for multiples diseases when it is consumed without considering these factors.  

This includes points like the quantity to be consumed, accompaniments to be chosen while taking that food, time to eat that food etc. This provides guideline for healthy eating practices. It is believed that, food consumed after considering these factors and implementing these rules provides all benefits and does not become the cause for ailments. On the other hand, food can be the cause for multiples diseases when it is consumed without considering these factors.  

=== Ahara phala souththava hetu ===

== Common mistakes done while taking ahara and their effects on Body ==

Cha.Vi 2.4

Ahara is believed to be the best among those things which are essential for maintenance of livelihood. Since it is such an extremely important lifestyle factors, there are some rules related to its consumption and some basic guidelines.<ref name=":2" /> Some of those are listed below,

 

न च केवलं मात्रावत्त्वादेवाहारस्य कृत्स्नमाहारफलसौष्ठवमवाप्तुं शक्यं, प्रकृत्यादीनामष्टानामाहारविधिविशेषायतनानां प्रविभक्तफलत्वात्||४||

# Eating in quantity as per one's Agni's strength is the best way to kindle the digestive fire i.e. Agni

# Eating Viruddha ahara (incompatible food) is the primary cause of developing nindita rogas e.g. Obesity, gigantism, dwarfism, pigmentation disorders etc

== Aharavidhi ==

== Aharavidhi How to eat ==

Aharavidhi in Ayurveda refers to the code of eating food. It includes guidelines on eating food for getting best results from food that is consumed. These guidelines are advantageous for healthy as well as sick individuals. These should be followed even if the best suitable food is to be consumed which is supposed to give favorable outcomes.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 24)</ref> The basic guidelines are given below,

Aharavidhi in Ayurveda refers to the code of eating food. It includes guidelines on eating food for getting best results from food that is consumed. These guidelines are advantageous for healthy as well as sick individuals. These should be followed even if the best suitable food is to be consumed which is supposed to give favorable outcomes.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 1 Sutram 24)</ref> The basic guidelines are given below,

* Eat when fresh and hot

* Eat when fresh and hot