Abstract:
Holistic health is a fundamental requirement of life and having it, can make one succeed in any facet of life. It includes mental, physical, social and spiritual well-being. Food we consume profoundly shapes our mental and physical state with each category of food group, exerting distinct effects on our mind and behavior. And as the enlightened say “we are what we eat”, it emphasizes the critical importance of mindful dietary choices. This principle is deeply rooted in our ancient wisdom, our Vedas and by Lord Shri Krishna in Bhagavad Geeta, describing the satvic, rajasic and tamasic nature of foods and eating in moderation. These categories have a distinct impact on human body, behavior and mindset as improper eating is often a sign of inner starvation for various needs. By integrating this understanding in modern lifestyle, we can address many challenges of today’s compressed life, including lifestyle diseases and mental health concern. Knowingly or unknowingly, food being an energetic force, plays a key role in prevention and treatment of such diseases. Thus, with today’s developed system of food intake and altered eating habits, due to globalization and urbanization, one should, “Let, food be thy medicine” to promote a life full of good purpose, clarity and contribution.
Nehal Shah
Clinical Dietician: Sanjivani Super Specialty Hospital, Founder – Bloom Fit Diet Clinic
Nutrition Faculty – Physiotherapy – BPA, BSc Nutrition – Parul Uni. Ahmbd, OLP College for Nursing
Email: nehalshahmodi@gmail.com
Introduction
In today’s compressed life, maximum productivity is equated with success, not only by physical, but also mental, social and spiritual well-being. In today’s world food choices are influenced by everything from culture to social media trends. The link between the type of food groups we eat and our health, thus proven by modern science, for prevention and remission of various lifestyle diseases, takes a high toll. Also, as our culture considers food as the visible manifestation of God, and not merely a material substance of ingestion or just a transitional commodity, it’s physical as well as metaphysical aspects cannot be ignored.
Causes and Effects of Unhealthy eating
Disordered eating can affect anyone, so trying to eat right with nutrition is need of the hour. A healthy digestion of meal with proper engagement of gastric juice, for digestion and absorption are directly related to hormonal balance and production of serotonin level. Of all mental disorders, anxiety is most common which can be seen day in and out. The persistent symptoms of pathological anxiety are severe or disruptive to day-to-day activities (Gale, C.K. et al, 2011). To top this situation people’s shift to unhealthy eating, to find some comfort to overcome their anxiety. Also, it has been demonstrated that emotions other than hunger, such as stress, anxiety, despair, and boredom, impact feeding behavior (Sherwood, 2015). People with persistent anxiety are more likely to have long-term heightened levels of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) hormones in their system. Serotonin, one of such happy hormones, involved in brain functions, has one of major roles to decrease appetite by halting dopamine release. Reduced levels of serotonin in brain may lead to memory problems, mood disorders and may drop a person to anxiety and depression (Bhasker et al., 2021). As also, often diabetic, is correlated with increased food intake and stress, CVD and most cancers with stress and eating pattern disorders, thyroid gland, as a growth hormone has relation with BMR that is related with restlessness or lethargy. Giving them a final call, all have a strong, psychological connection with mind and also, with various food types [Satvic, Rajasic and Tamasic, its effect on behavior] that is well articulated in our Vedas, Charakasamhita and Bhagawad Geeta.
Discussion:
Food is essential for every living being on this planet. Moreover, it has a drastic impact in forming the personality of an individual. The verses from the Epic Bhagawad Geeta depicts different components of foods in our lives. The three gunas model has marked structural overlap with some of the factors of the personality (Catell’s model- Singh,2008). The concept of mindfulness and eating together makes it an essential part of life. Frameson et al. (2009, p. 1439) defined mindful as “non- judgmental awareness of physical and emotional sensations while eating or in a food-related environment.” There are no rules to be followed, it just involves focusing on the process of eating, and not what is eaten (Khan & Zadeh 2014). Their research reveals that practicing mindful eating enable one to identify why they eat, notice hunger and satiety cues, and give proper reactions to them. It also makes it easier to observe if external and internal stimuli, such as the sight of advertisement, feeling bored or stressed are misinterpreted as hunger (Allirot et al., 2017; Hart, 2014; Papies et al., 2015). For perceived stress, an association between disordered eating or uncontrollable eating as overeating, binge eating, hunger, and comfort eating has been found in several studies. Perceived stress also has been correlated with emotional eating and comfort eating. (Finch & Tomiyama, 2015). Additionally, mindful eating has brought about significant changes in weight, eating behavior and psychological distress in obese individuals, indicating that mindful eating and stress do share an effective relation (Dalen et al, 2010). Additionally, Shri Krishna in Bhagawad Gita explains the type of food to be consumed by those who seek good health.
Satvic food: A satvic diet incorporates simple, light, juicy, unprocessed, and healthy food including milk, fruits, grains and vegetables. They are neither too spicy nor salty. Consuming Satvic food invigorates body, elevates mind, promotes long life and happiness. Bhagawad Geeta (Chpt. – 17, verse-8).
Benefits of Satvic food:
Intaking satvic food has benefits in molding life in a healthy direction.
*It improves mental health and promotes flow of positive vibration in body.
*It helps restoring peace and its daily intake strengthens our immunity and helps in formation of high fiber tissues.
*It is associated with balance, peace, equanimity, and cleanliness.
Therefore, a sattvic person is more likely to be truthful, dutiful, disciplined and a spiritual being. (Wolf, 1999;2012). They ordinarily indulge in the consumption of pure and fresh vegetarian food including, fruits and nuts, and refrain from too spicy food (Korada, 2010)
Thus, sattvic food, is consumed by individuals with sattva gunas (Chidbhavnanda, 1992).
Rajasic food:
Food that is over spicy, too sour, and that obtained after harming any living beings are rajasic foods (Korada 2010). Person consuming Rajasic food becomes restless. Bhagawad Geeta (Chpt- 17, verse-9)
Rajasic food increases the energy level of our body stimulating, every part of the system. However, it promotes aggression and reckless behavior.
Benefits of Rajasic food: Rajasic food has many benefits also associated with it.
*It boosts decision making
*It provides high energy to perform heavy tasks.
*It helps in promoting our mind and body beyond average capacity.
Individuals with a dominance of the rajasic gunas tend to be ambitious and goal-oriented and thus indulge in foods that “stimulates their nervous system and speeds up their metabolism and activates it” (Ballentine, 1978, p.548). Singh (1971) pointed out that rajasic people often have a developed awareness, sharp perception, and clear cognitions, and this could be the reason why such individuals engage in mindful eating practices.
However, improper consumption of Rajasic food can disturb the proper balance of mind and body. A person consuming it tends to be aggressive and worries more than being happy. It activates hyper activeness and overexertion in the mind and body of the consumer.
Tamasic Food: Foods prepared by harming living beings falls under this category (Korada). These foods become heavy to our digestion system. Overcooked, stale, fermented, stored or oily foods also fall in tamasic foods. Bhagawad Geeta (Chpt. -17 verse 10).
Benefits of Tamasic food:
*It helps in resisting bitter cold
*It provides support in performing strainful physical works.
*It promotes sleep
However, consuming whole diet, with excessive Tamas Guna can result in ill-effects on our body and mind and may have a dull appearance, fast aging, slower response to all life situations, have intense mood swings. Heavy consumption of tamas food can make a person sluggish and tires them quickly.
Also, the adrenal glands of killed animals produce stress and adrenaline, which are then injected directly into the muscle tissue. Emotions that have been caught in flesh are eaten together with meat. However, fruits and vegetables lack the capacity for feeling, thus they do no react emotionally to being harvested. Fruits and vegetables contain prana (subtle vital energy) that provides the body with clean nutrients and promotes a healthy state of mind at all times. (Kshirsagar et al. 2023). Study revealed that gunas differed in perceived stress and mindful eating practices among young adults. Akansha*, Kriti Goel, Shaguna Sondhi, Dec,2020. Also, importance to moderation with contentment is insisted by Bhagawad Gita Chpt. – 6 verse 17. Modern science totally agrees with moderate eating scientifically, proving its essence truly with our scientific (Shastriya) Scriptures.
Conclusion
As stated above, where food is the visible manifestation of God, that may be the reason why India has never been loud about its food and knowledge behind, that has evolved over centuries. Now, the time has come to aggressively promote this knowledge – which is soft power of any nation to navigate many challenges. Vedic science, for food and nutrition is still as relevant today as in ancient times, and will continue to play a crucial role in future as well. This universal knowledge, will help in designing interventions that favor development of sattvic traits in individuals for their holistic wellbeing with also being empathetic, purposeful and resilient beings.
Bibliography
- Indian Journal of Public Health and Development/Volume 14 No. 4 October-December 2023. A link between Anxiety and Sattvik Food as a Potential Pathway Mansi, Parul Sharma, Khyati Jain
- The International Journal of Indian Psychology, Volume 8, Isssue 4, Oct- Dec, 2020
- Effect of gunas on stress and mindful eating. Akansha Mendiratta*, Kriti Goel, Shaguna Sondhi
- Journal for Re Attach Therapy and Developmental Diversities eISSN: 2023 April. Diet: Psychological, and Spiritual Growth
- The Gunas and Varnas: Pathways to Personal Fulfillment and Social Harmony, Krishna Mohan Avancha
- Radhakrishnan, S. (1956). The Principal Upanishads. Harper & Row.
- The Song of God: Bhagawad Gita. Gorakhpur press.