According to Ayurveda, the sense of taste is a natural guide map towards a healthy life and proper nutrition. For ages, humans relied largely upon taste to discover healthy foods in nature and avoid toxicity. Our taste buds unravel the nutrition of foods and provide the initial initiation to the entire digestive process.
Ayurveda describes that there are 6 different Tastes or Rasas in the food that we consume. These tastes are: Sweet, Salty, Sour, Bitter, Pungent and Astringent
Order of Eating in Ayurveda:
1. Sweet or Madhura
Sweet taste has a cooling effect or Virya on the body, and is one of the most nourishing tastes. It works to ‘Balance’ out Vata as well as Pitta, but what needs to be kept in mind is that it is beneficial only in moderation.
2. Salty or Lavana
Unlike sweet, it has a heating Virya or effect on the body. It has moist properties, which makes it best forVata to stay grounded and hydrated. But it is not so good for people with a dominant Pitta as it may aggravate that quality.. Not only does salt aid digestion, it acts as a mild laxative when taken in moderation.
3. Sour or Amla
This one leads to a warm effect on the body. When you consume sour taste, it stimulates appetite and leads to more saliva production. It is good for appetite, digestion as well as excretion.
4. Pungent or Katu
This taste aids appetite, clears sinuses and makes blood circulation better.
5. Bitter or Tikta
This one increases Vata and reduces Pitta and Kapha due to its cool and light properties. But what needs to be kept in mind is that while it is cooling in the short-term, it is warming for the body eventually. Do not have this taste in excess as it creates immediate coldness and then warmth.
6. Astringent or Kasaya
This one is cool, dry, and light, so Vata types should avoid it. A lot of beans and legumes are astringent in nature, so are broccoli and cauliflower, which all lead to gas for the Vata body type.
By: Archa Dave
