Gluten is a group of proteins – the prolamins and glutelins and can be found in cereal grains like wheat. It is a common ingredient in foods like bread, pasta, pizza, and cereal. These group of proteins is responsible for the elastic texture of the dough and can result in various gastrointestinal problems for people with celiac diseases. It can cause inflammation and damage to intestinal tracts.

We all strive for quality of life rather than the number of years we live. The concept of prevention of disease is given utmost importance in Ayurveda. There is a separate branch of Ayurveda for preventive medicine called as ‘Swastha Vritta’. We all have Vata, Pitta and Kapha in our body.

Well-being is fundamental for health. The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Yet in present day scenarios we come across a lot of lifestyle disorders like - Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes etc. In this article we are going to discuss the benefits of walking for wellness since walking being the cost-effective and accessible form of physical exercise.

A cleanse is the easiest way to buffer your health and make yourself ready to face all the allergens and toxins in the body. No matter how hard you try it is impossible to avoid the exposure to toxins completely. Many toxic chemicals have been introduced using household cleaners, personal hygiene products and pharmaceuticals. Also, we have acquired a taste for caffeine, carbonated drinks, tobacco and alcohol, fast and processed foods, an abundance of meat, refined & artificial sugars and sweets. All these factors make cleanse a necessity for each one of us.

Coconut is nourishing in nature and it helps in gaining weight. It is coolant in nature, sweet and improves body strength. Coconut pulp takes a longer time to undergo digestion, improves muscle strength and does natural bladder cleanse.

A popular misbelief is that you are not supposed to take meat items while undergoing Ayurveda treatments or when having Ayurveda medicines. The truth is that Ayurveda does advise certain pathya-apathya (wholesome and unwholesome foods and regimen) depending on the nature of the disease. This pathya and apathya are not for the medicines. There are certain disease conditions where Ayurveda advises the intake of meat as medicine. In Tuberculosis, for example, after correcting the digestion, processed meat with certain herbs are advised as medicine. In certain sexual disorders also, meat is mentioned as a medicine in Ayurveda.

There is a popular myth that Ayurveda is vegetarianism or vegan. While it is true that in some respects they go hand in hand, eating meat in Ayurveda is totally dependent on the individual constitution and personal health care needs. Eating meat is always a personal decision based on your morals, religious practices, individual needs and health status. So what might be the reason for the popular misconception that Ayurveda is vegan or vegetarian?

The fact is when you wake up early in the morning, before sunrise, the predominant dosha according to time is Vata. Vata is powerful and an active dosha. You can perform your activities with more energy if you wake up at Vata period of the day. But if you are waking up late, the next dosha cycle of the day is Kapha. Kapha is generally in slow pace, and you will have a feeling of heaviness and drowsiness if you wake up in the Kapha period of the day.

Magnesium is popularly known as the ‘master mineral’. This is because Magnesium is involved with more or less 300 complex metabolic processes in our body. Many foods and vegetables have magnesium, but it is very hard to get the reference daily intake, which is 400 mg.  transportation of calcium across cell membranes. As such, it helps calcium get into the bone matter. Also, the anti-inflammatory properties of Magnesium helps in keeping a lot of inflammatory diseases like Arthritis at bay.

We all know many disorders originate from stress, especially if the stress is severe and prolonged. In fact if it is an Acute stress response, especially  in young, healthy individuals it can be adaptive and typically do not impose a health burden. In older individuals stress for a prolonged period is definitely harmful. 

Here we are going to discuss the benefits of Mindfulness in stress management. 

Generally, people with Vata skin type will be more likely to experience dryness, dehydration, as well as a thin, delicate texture and fine pores. Your skin will be predisposed to symptoms of early aging, which is made worse by mental stress such as worry, fear, and lack of sleep.

Spinach has long been famous for its ability to give energy instantaneously. Remember Popeye the Sailor Man? While this leafy green won’t cause your biceps to inflate like balloons, it is dense in vitamins and minerals, low in calories and versatile in cooking.

It is a well known concept that Ayurveda gives importance to the maintenance of health by prevention of ailments and it also helps in curing various ailments using different herbal supplements and various treatment methodologies. There is a separate branch of Ayurveda which deals with the maintenance of health called as ‘Svastha Vritha’ i.e. the Preventive Medicine. So in order to manage a steady state of health Ayurveda has advised ‘DInacharya’ or a daily routine which is to be followed by a healthy person. Though it has a lot of steps involved, this blog is going to discuss ‘Gandusha’ or Oil Pulling. 

In Ayurvedic perspective dark circles are due to aggravated Vata dosha. As age advances there will be a predominance of Vata in the body. In old age there is depletion of the subcutaneous fat tissues and thinning of the skin under the eyes that causes darkening of the skin of that area. Intake of food that are dry, and use of processed foods can aggravate Vata in the body. Excessive salt intake is often mentioned as the cause for fluid retention under the eyes result in puffy eyes and formation of dark circles.

The term ‘gut health’ has gained a lot of popularity in today’s health industry. The importance of gut health is not just proper digestion and assimilation but Ayurveda provides extensive insights on that. The gut microbiome does help to generate a healthy ecosystem by breaking down the food we eat and absorbing the nutrients from it.

Navadhanyas are the nine grain varieties popularly known for their health benefits. The Navadanya includes Bengal Gram, Wheat, Horse Gram, Green Gram, Rice, White beans, Black Sesame seeds, Chick Peas or garbanzo beans, and Black Gram. These nine grains provide essential nutrients to the human body. These grains are versatile and can be used in variety of dishes like soups, salads, appetizers, main course etc. Bengal gram which is popularly called as Chana dal in Indian cuisine is yellow in color and it can retain its shape even when fully cooked. It has a nutty flavor which add to the deliciousness and rich flavor. Wheat, popularly called as Godhuma in Ayurveda is Vata and Pitta pacifying and helps in improving body strength and nourishment. Horse gram, called as Kulattha which is predominant of Kashaya Rasa (astringent taste) is Kapha Vata Pacifying. Green gram or Mung beans is easier to digest and can be eaten daily. All these grains are great sources of plant-based protein. If we closely analyze each of these grains is a powerhouse of nutrients. The consumption of these nutrients combined together keep us healthy and free from lifestyle disorders.

Green gram or Mung beans are called as Mudga in Ayurveda. Mudga is a Sanskrit word which means happiness. It’s one of the food items Ayurveda advises you to eat on a daily basis.