A Hara Vidhi Scientific
A Hara Vidhi Scientific
A Hara Vidhi Scientific
ABSTRACT
Adequate nutrition is the basic need for healthy life but without knowing proper dieta-
ry guidelines one cannot gain optimum benefit from the food consumed. There are many
guidelines related to diet and its contents in modern aspect but the Ayurvedic approach has its
unique importance. Acharya Charak has given ahara vidhi vidhan (dietary guidelines) which
can prevent many diseases arising merely due to faulty dietary habits. Scientific explanation
for each factor is explained.
Key words: ahara vidhi vidhan, diet, dietary guidelines, dietary rules
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays there is increased preva- microbes. On taking cold food more ener-
lence of life style disorders in which faulty gy will be use for digestion which may
dietary habits play an important role. lead lethargy. So, warm food should be
Acharya Charak mentions food as prana or consumed.
life of living beings if taken properly but if Snigdhamashniyat (Diet should include
taken in a faulty manner may cause death.1 fat) Fat improves the taste of diet, increas-
In present era, due to change in lifestyle, es agni so food easily digested, pacifies
man is giving least importance to his diet vata due to snigdha guna, enhances body
and dietary rules. If Ayurvedic dietary growth, provides strength to senses, im-
guidelines are followed, many diseases can proves strength and also improves com-
be prevented arising merely due to faulty plexion and glow of the body. Fat provides
dietary habits. a concentrate source of energy and essen-
SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION OF tial fatty acids are needed for growth and
AHARA VIDHI VIDHAN development, building of nerve cells and
Acharya Charak has given ahara vidhi brain. Fat is essential for absorption of Vit.
vidhan2 (dietary guidelines) for which A, D, E and K. These vitamins are well
scientific explanation is explained in fol- known to increase immunity, are good for
lowing points. skin and eyes, Vit. E is an antioxidant, Vit.
Ushnamashniyat (consuming warm D is important for Calcium absorption
food) Warm food tastes good and doesn’t which provides strength to bones. HDL is
pacify Jatharagni. Food is easily digested important as it reduces risk of heart dis-
as food has to come to body temperature ease. Consuming fatty acids can boost me-
for digestion.3 Vata and kapha are pacified tabolism. Dietary fat helps in breakdown
on taking warm food. Heating also kills
Deepa Sharma & Pawan Kumar Vishwakarma: Scientific Explanation Of Charak’s Ahara –Vidhi Vidhan (Dietary Guidelines)
consumption preventing over eating, better creased during puberty, adolescence, preg-
absorption of nutrients, better appetite reg- nancy and lactation. Diet of sick people
ulation and better satiety.10 should be according to disease.
Naativilambitamashniyat (Not eating too
slowly) CONCLUSION
If food is taken too slowly, it is not proper- Viewing the above points it can be con-
ly digested as enzymatic secretions do not clude that ahara should be taken according
mix properly with the food leading to im- to ahara vidhi vidhan (dietary guidelines)
proper digestion, one doesn’t gets satis- which are truly scientific as mentioned by
fied, eats more and food gets cold. our Acharyas. Many diseases can be pre-
Ajalpanahasan tanmanabhunjeet (Eating vented arising merely due to faulty dietary
without talking or laughing, Mindful habits. Healthier eating habits may help
eating) lower risk for type-2 diabetes, heart dis-
No talking or laughing during meal but it ease, stroke, cancer, infertility and many
should be taken with full concentration. other health problems.
Achayra charak says that the even pathya-
ahar taken in proper amount does not get REFERENCES
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CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Dr. Deepa Sharma
Lecturer, Deptt. Of Rog Nidan & Vikriti
Vigyan, Major S.D. Singh Ayurvedic
Medical College, Fatehgarh, Farukkhabad,
Uttar Pradesh, India
Email: sha.dpa@gmail.com