The foods that we eat on a daily basis have an impact on our body system in some way or the other, especially when it comes to maintaining and regulating heat in the body. Most foods that we tend to eat have the ability to produce heat in the body, considering they take time to digest, so the body system needs more energy to stimulate the process, which further produces heat. Foods that generally contain more fat, protein and carbohydrates often heat the body up while digesting food. So what are the foods we must ensure a control upon in order to keep our body cool and healthy?According to Nutritionist and Physiologist, Ritesh Bawri, “Food has a substantial impact on you. Thermogenesis occurs when your body breaks down the food that you consume to produce brown fat which has a particular protein. When this protein reacts, with the food it causes the production of heat.”Root vegetables are known to cause heat in your body. These include vegetables such as potato, carrots, sweet potato and kale. These vegetables require more energy during the process of digestion causing heat in your body. According to Ayurveda, consuming onions and garlic also generates heat in the body. Similarly, Reiki practitioners ask their patients not to eat pungent foods such as onions, shallots, leeks, chives, spring onions. Along with the heat, these foods are also believed to cause nightmares, disturbed dreams and confusion.
Naturally, consuming hot liquids raises your body temperature. Most nutritionists agree that this is a good thing for your body. A slight increase in body temperature caused by consuming food or exercise creates an environment that is hostile to pathogens in your body. Your body can fight them more effectively. While summer is upon us and you should be consuming foods that calm your body, do not also forget to eat a few things that increase your body temperature, at least occasionally.
Fruits like mangoes, apples and oranges are considered as hot foods; excessive consumption of these fruits may lead to irritation in the stomach.
Common kitchen foods like onion, garlic, black pepper, ginger and other spicy foods are responsible for producing heat in the body.
Root vegetables are innately hot, which is why they are generally recommended during winters.
Spinach, beans, potatoes, broccoli, et al are also said to have a strong ‘taasir’ that produces heat in the body.
Everyone has fat and muscle in their body. Some people have more fat than others. In particular,the average female has a higher percentage of body fat than the average male of the same age. This makes a difference in how people perceive cold. Women have more body fat than men, as a percentage of body weight, and less muscle. The average 30-year old woman’s body is 26 percent fat, while a man of the same age has just 21 percent fat, with more muscle. As a result, the man’s body will be generating more heat, all other factors being equal, than the woman’s. On the other hand, women have more insulation due to the layer of fat. All animal foods fall into the warming category, including lean dairy, meat, fish and poultry. Whole-grain cereals, proteins and healthy fats too provide much-needed energy to keep warm. The most warming vegetables that support your body are the root vegetables like carrot, potato, onions, garlic, radish, yams, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, etc, and hearty winter greens like palak, methi, sarson, muli, pudina, etc.
The healing power of ayurveda is well documented. Often referred to as the “science of life”, Ayurveda aims to achieve holistic development of the mind, body and soul of any individual who abides by this age old practice. Optimistic thinking, regular exercise and the yogic techniques of meditation and breathing may take you places and keep your body calm and balanced. Our diet too has a significant role in our life and has the power to heal when consumed the right way. One could think of the meaning in two ways. Firstly, based on the physical temperature of the food product. Secondly, and more importantly, from the Ayurvedic perspective, hot and cold foods are based on the internal nature of the food product which would have diverse effects on the three body types (vata, pitta and kapha) as classified in Ayurveda. This classification of food as hot and cold or its innate characteristics is referred to as “Virya”. Simply put, Ayurveda tries to assess whether a particular food item has a cooling or a heating effect inside our body which in turn has an impact on our metabolism and digestion.
