Gunas of Food - Hot vs Cold

Highlights:

• Foods with a heating effect speed up the metabolism.

• In excess, they cause perspiration, acidity, and burning sensation.

• Foods with a cooling effect soothe the digestive system.

According to Ayurveda, all foods have certain qualities (gunas) that have varying physical and therapeutic qualities on the body and mind. Let’s start by talking about the effect that hot (Usna) and cold (Sita) foods have on our bodies

Hot foods produce a heating effect (Vidahi) that causes our metabolism to speed up, leading to fat loss. But they also cause acidity, perspiration, and a burning sensation while the food is being digested. This effect is produced by foods with pungent, sour, and salty tastes (rasas).

Try this Ginger and Lemon Chutney.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp finely chopped adrak (ginger)

• 1 tbsp lemon zest ( grate the topmost yellow layer of the lemon peel)

• 1 cup finely chopped dhaniya (coriander)

Method

• Blend all the ingredients together.

• Enjoy!

Cold Foods produce a cooling effect (Avidahi) that helps soothe the digestive system. It makes the digestive process slower and puts no pressure on your metabolism. This effect is produced by foods with the bitter, astringent, and sweet tastes (rasas).

Try this Baked Apple recipe.

Ingredients

• 6 medium-sized apples

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 ½ cup oats

• ¾ cup Gur (jaggery)

• ½ cup ghee

• Cinnamon

Method

• Peel and chop the apples into squares.

• Place them in a baking pan and sprinkle the lemon juice over them.

• Combine the rest of the ingredients and mix them.

• Spread the mixture over the apples.

• Bake for 45 minutes at 160-degree Celsius.

• Serve hot.

Discover more Ayurvedic recipes, or Consult a Jiva doctor, dial 0129-4040404 from your mobile phone or click on ‘Speak to a Doctor’ under the CONNECT tab in the Jiva Health App.