No matter how much you meditate or medicate, are you still falling ill or getting stressed out? Well, Jagruti Verma & Jeet Dalvi think you should be consuming these Ayurvedic superfoods!
According to Ayurveda, all diseases have their root cause in the mind, and early symptoms in the digestive system. So, if you feel a mild ache in your stomach or have frequent digestive issues, don’t ignore the problem, because it could lead to more serious ailments in the future. Cleaning up your digestive system helps to prevent diseases and keeps other health problems at bay. Remember, a healthy digestive system helps you get more energetic, think clearer, sleep in a more comfortable fashion and could also improve your immune system. A happy, healthy body will in turn help you to make more stable decisions for your future.
THE GOOD NEWS
We’re not saying that these are miracle foods, but when you add them to your daily diet, you will begin to see things changing! We spoke to fitness expert Kunal Sharma, Dr. Anil Patil, a consultant in holistic and integrated medicine and chairman and managing director of Vedicure Clinic, as well as nutritionist Priya Kathpal, to bring you a comprehensive list of Ayurvedic superfoods that you absolutely must include in your daily diet to improve your system. Take a look at what to stock up on!
- Pomegranate: If you aren’t already in love with this fruit for its taste, pick it because it is high in antioxidants.
- Wheat grass: Yes, the same green plant that you associate with soothing juices also helps you keep sugar levels in check and detoxifies your liver.
- Coconut oil: One of its many benefits includes the explosion of energy it gives you when it’s in your blood stream. It is also antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial.
- Quinoa: This is a powerful grain that gets its goodness from the amount of amino acids, good fibre and vitamins that it contains. It also it tastes better than you think when it’s prepared right!
- Turmeric: One of the most common spices, this helps reduce inflammation and is an excellent cure for joint and muscle pain.
- Tomatoes: They are a powerhouse of vitamins A, C, E and B. Adding to their goodness are potassium, manganese and phosphorus.
- Avocados: These nutritional gems help to reduce excess cholesterol and inflammation. They are also a rich source of the monounsaturated fats that our bodies find easy to burn.
- Cabbage: It can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, roasted, sautéed and stuffed, and is a great source of vitamins C and K as well as beta-carotene.
- Dried fruits: Although they lack vitamin C (because they are dried), the benefit of other nutrients that they contain works in their favour.
- Ginger: With amazing anti-inflammatory and appetite stimulating properties, this is so good that even cooking doesn’t hamper its beneficial properties!
- Amla: It should preferably be eaten raw, but a slightly cooked form is also great, as long as it’s not heated too much, as this oxidised and reduces the available vitamin C. You can also pick cold pressed juice.
- Brabhmi: Recommended specially for children and teenagers, this is most effective in its dried, powdered form. It helps improve cognitive skills and boosts memory power.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda, which literally means the science of life, has been known to be an effective medicinal practice for thousands of years because of its extraordinary healing powers. It promotes the concept that our diet has a direct effect on the quality of our minds. The three universal personality traits mentioned in the Upanishads — namely Sattva (quality of purity/ detoxifying the body), Rajas (quality of agitation/ irritability) and Tamas (point of inertia) — are based on the concept that our personalities are built on the way we think and act, and the food that we consume every day will play a major role in shaping our mind and body.