Ayurveda is the most ancient, logical as well as magical health science of Indian that not only cure diseases but also teaches us a way of living a disease free life. It is not just about yoga and holistic health care but also about the diet and lifestyle you need to follow for your health care.
Today in a generation of processed, fast and junk food, it is crucial to know the importance of an Ayurvedic diet. According to Ayurveda everything is the combination of five earthly elements namely, earth, water, air, fire, and space. These elements also forms the combination of doshas i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These factors forms up one’s mental as well as physical state.
Each person with certain dosha combination is different, therefore, when thinking about the food, it also seems different for each. The same ingredient while being beneficial for one person can cause harm to others.
What are Superfoods?
Superfoods have tons of benefits and are higher on the nutritional scale. They are full of essential vitamins, minerals, and acids. It is just a marketing term that was created to describe a vegetable, fruit, or spice. Ayurveda has a list of ingredients that would termed as a superfood. For example, ginger, honey, amla, turmeric, coconut oil, and ghee are some examples of Ayurvedic superfoods. Some of these have been elaborated on below.
Top Five Ayurvedic Superfoods
Amla (Gooseberry): –
- Also known as Indian Gooseberry, this tiny berry comes with a bunch of benefits.
- It is mostly known for its strong anti oxidant properties. It is a rich source of Vitamin C.
- It detoxes the whole body when consumed regularly hence, enhances the metabolism as well as digestion process.
- Various researches have been done showing amla as an immunity booster or enhancer.
- It is also proven as the best drug for skin due to its purgative properties as well.
- Amla oil when used for hair helps achieve long, shiny and strong locks.
- Amla contains five of the six tastes and contributes much more to improving the digestive fire.
Dates : –
- These are a natural source of vitamin C and iron.
- Keep our skin young, healthy and free from wrinkles.
- When suffering from UTI, and cystitis it benefits greatly from eating dates daily.
- It contains high polyphenols which helps fighting inflammation in the body.
- Dates are also high in calories and must be consumed in moderation.
Bee Pollen : –
- It is a mix of flower pollen, bee secretions, honey, wax, nectar and also certain enzymes.
- It has several benefits due to a range of active ingredients like amino acids, nutrients, vitamins and lipids.
- It is highly antioxidant, therefore, helps removing harmful free radicals from the body thus reducing the danger of diseases like cancer, heart disease etc.
- Other observed benefits include decreasing inflammation, allergies and aiding in weight loss.
Ginger : –
- It is a terrific sattvic spice and can work wonders in igniting the digestive fire.
- Ginger also consists of vitamin A and K with iron, magnesium and copper.
- It relieves indigestion and constipation.
- It hold its beneficial properties in both fresh and dried forms.
- During travel when nausea hits, a little bit of dry ginger is helpful.
- In Cough and cold ginger tea is really helpful.
- Seasonal allergies and infections can be kept away with ginger.
Ghee : –
- It strengthens memory.
- Balances Vatta and Pitta dosha.
- It can be used throughout the year.
- It has short-chain fatty acids like butyrates that assist the smooth bile flow and heps improving digestion.
- Some research studies have shown ghee to help cancer patients by ceasing the gene expression.
- The presence of fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K aid in weight loss
- It does not build up cholesterol.
- Keeps skin moisturized
- Improves eye health and hair fall.
Ayurveda has many more superfoods explained in the classics. Above mentioned are easily available and are also easy to include in the daily life too.