Journalism of Courage
Gut health plays a very important role in maintaining overall health. But its not only a healthy diet that ensures the well-being of the gut, some lifestyle practices must also be incorporated as part of one's daily routine. As such, Ayurveda suggests some 'dinacharya' that aid gut and overall health. To help you get started, Ayurvedic practitioner Dr Varalakshmi Yanamandra shared these practices. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
According to Ayurveda, health begins with proper digestion. When one experiences a disturbance in the digestion process, it can wreak havoc with one's emotions, and vice-versa. An improper digestion leads to the accumulation of toxins or ama in the body which is the root cause of all disorders, said Dr Yanamandra. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Tongue scraping, or jihwa prakshalana, is a traditional part of Ayurvedic self-care. The colour of the coating as well as the quantity indicates whether the body was able to digest the food properly or not. A heavier coating due to heavier foods causes obstructions in respiration as well as foul-smelling breath. According to ayurveda, scraping the tongue is a good way of giving a gentle massage to the internal organs of the body. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Ayurveda endorses oil pulling or kavala or gundusha, an ancient Ayurvedic dental technique, that helps remove toxins from the body while improving oral health. It involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for around 20 minutes. Since the first step of digestion begins in the mouth, oil pulling is considered an effective marker for good digestive health. When the food touches the mouth, the tongue detects all the nutrients in that food and gives signals to the digestive system. If your mouth is not clear, the tongue will not be able to send the signal to the stomach. So, when the food reaches the stomach, it will not be able to break it properly and absorb all the nutrients. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
As per Ayurveda, a balanced meal comprises six tastes -- sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. While sweet imparts the maximum energy, astringent gives the least energy. So one must always ensure to have a balanced meal. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
As per Ayurveda, fresh and warm cooked foods help the digestive fire to do its work effectively. Rather than eating leftovers, one should include home-cooked, warm foods in their daily diet. They should also avoid snacking to aid the digestion process. (Source: Pixabay)
Beverages: Tender coconut water and freshly made buttermilk from fresh curd helps maintain the electrolyte balance. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Frequency and size of meals: The recommended frequency can vary widely as per individual requirements. For instance, roughly 5-6 small meals are recommended for those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, while three meals a day are suggested in the case of patients with hyperlipidemia or hypertension, as per Indian Clinical Dietary Recommendations (ICDR), Nutrition Society of India, 2020. Overall, maintaining a regular schedule is vital, and can be helpful in curbing acid production and reflux. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Taking 100 steps after a meal as per Ayurveda is considered an ideal way to improve one's health as it helps in propelling digestive fire, burning calories and better control of sugar levels. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
The only yoga asana that should be done post meals, Vajrasana is an effective pose that helps improve the digestion process and increases the body's metabolic activity. It helps relieve gas formation in the body and treats acidity. How to do it? Bend your knees. Roll your calf muscles out. Point your toes behind. Sit. Release the buttocks in between the heels. Sit for 4-5 minutes in this pose. If you have trouble sitting in this posture, you can alternatively use a block to sit on. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Avoid cold water to prevent cold and cough. Do not eat spicy, oily, processed, and junk food as it can lead to acidity. Moreover, hydration is the key to wellness. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
