| Unctuous (''snigdha''), sweet (''madhura''), heavy to digest (''guru''), and slimy (''pichhilla'') foods predominantly have ''prithvi'' and ''apa mahabhutas'', leading to an increase in ''kapha'' and ''rasa dhatu''. | | Unctuous (''snigdha''), sweet (''madhura''), heavy to digest (''guru''), and slimy (''pichhilla'') foods predominantly have ''prithvi'' and ''apa mahabhutas'', leading to an increase in ''kapha'' and ''rasa dhatu''. |
− | The functional trait of such food articles is ''snigdha'' (oily) ''guna'' is ''sneha'' (unctuousness), ''mriduta'' (softness), and ''ardrata'' (malleability, fluidity). ''Snigdha'' food articles include those derived from lipids and fat molecules. Similarly, ''madhura'' (sweetness) is a property of food substances that possess predominantly sweet taste - not just perceived at the tongue, but also in many parts/tissues along our digestive system. ''Guru'' is the primary property that indicates “heaviness” of a food item, and a ''guru'' food article is heavy to digest and increases bulkiness of the tissues. ''Guru'' is the opposite of ''agni'' and hence delays digestion and metabolism and is used, therefore, in therapies that require nourishment, enhancement of physical strength, etc (''brimhana, agnimaandyakara, upalepa, bala, upachaya'' and ''tarpana''). Finally, ''picchilla'' is sliminess and stickiness, and indicates food items that vitiate ''kapha'' and ''mamsa-meda dhatu'' particularly. | + | The functional trait of such food articles is ''snigdha'' (oily) ''guna'' is ''sneha'' (unctuousness), ''mriduta'' (softness), and ''ardrata'' (malleability, fluidity)<ref> Gothecha Mohanlal., Dr., editor. Guna Parijnana. Jamnagar: Post Graduate Training Center in Ayurveda; 1958. pp. 19–20. </ref> <ref> Acharya Vaidya Jadavaji Trikamaji, Aachrya Narayana Rama. Sutra Sthana Dalhana. 8 edition. 49. Vol. 1. Chaukhamba Orientalia; 2005. Susruta, ‘Susruta Samhita’ with ‘Nibandha Sangrha’ commentary by Dallhanacharya; p. 12 </ref>. ''Snigdha'' food articles include those derived from lipids and fat molecules. Similarly, ''madhura'' (sweetness) is a property of food substances that possess predominantly sweet taste - not just perceived at the tongue, but also in many parts/tissues along our digestive system. ''Guru'' is the primary property that indicates “heaviness” of a food item, and a ''guru'' food article is heavy to digest and increases bulkiness of the tissues. ''Guru'' is the opposite of ''agni'' and hence delays digestion and metabolism and is used, therefore, in therapies that require nourishment, enhancement of physical strength, etc (''brimhana, agnimaandyakara, upalepa, bala, upachaya'' and ''tarpana''). Finally, ''picchilla'' is sliminess and stickiness, and indicates food items that vitiate ''kapha'' and ''mamsa-meda dhatu'' particularly. |
− | Today’s research is consistent with the above findings of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda] . Researchers acknowledge that taste receptors exist in the upper gastrointestinal tract as well. These receptors are “primarily located in the intestinal brush and enteroendocrine cells, and recognize sugars, D-amino acids, sweet proteins, and artificial sweeteners”, per their research. Peptide YY (PYY) exerts its action through NPY receptors by inhibiting gastric motility and increasing water and electrolyte absorption in the colon. PYY may also suppress pancreatic secretion, as it is secreted by neuro-endocrine cells in the ileum and colon in response to a meal, and has been shown to reduce appetite. It works by slowing the gastric emptying, thereby increasing the efficiency of digestion and nutrient absorption after a meal. Considering the effects of sweet food substances, PYY, in certain quantities, helps induce satiety in a person and thus in excess, inhibits appetite. This study clearly suggests the impact of ''madhura rasa'' and ''snigdha'' food substances in creating ''santarpaniya vyadhi'' or increased anabolism. Like GLP -1, GIP is related to metabolism and inflammation. | + | Today’s research is consistent with the above findings of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda Ayurveda] . Researchers acknowledge that taste receptors exist in the upper gastrointestinal tract as well. These receptors are “primarily located in the intestinal brush and enteroendocrine cells, and recognize sugars, D-amino acids, sweet proteins, and artificial sweeteners<ref>Greenfield Jerry R., Chisholm Donald J. How Sweet It Is: Intestinal Sweet Taste Receptors in Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes. 2013 Oct; 62(10): 3336–3337.</ref>”, per their research. Peptide YY (PYY) exerts its action through NPY receptors by inhibiting gastric motility and increasing water and electrolyte absorption in the colon<ref> Liu C, Aloia T, Adrian T, Newton T, Bilchik A, Zinner M, Ashley S, McFadden D (1996). "Peptide YY: a potential proabsorptive hormone for the treatment of malabsorptive disorders". Am Surg 62 (3): 232–6.Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana 27/309 </ref>. PYY may also suppress pancreatic secretion, as it is secreted by neuro-endocrine cells in the ileum and colon in response to a meal, and has been shown to reduce appetite. It works by slowing the gastric emptying, thereby increasing the efficiency of digestion and nutrient absorption after a meal. Considering the effects of sweet food substances, PYY, in certain quantities, helps induce satiety in a person and thus in excess, inhibits appetite. This study clearly suggests the impact of ''madhura rasa'' and ''snigdha'' food substances in creating ''santarpaniya vyadhi'' or increased anabolism. Like GLP -1, GIP is related to metabolism and inflammation. |
| Thus, it can be said that excess of ''madhura, guru, snigdha'' and ''pichchilla'' foods can have inflammatory effect at the molecular level. If the above properties elaborated by Charaka are to be understood, it can be clearly stated that they increase body tissues in volume and delay the digestion of food. This seems to be acceptable and the effect may be mediated through peptide YY. As it delays digestion and increases the nutrient uptake, these food substances lead to ''santarpana''. | | Thus, it can be said that excess of ''madhura, guru, snigdha'' and ''pichchilla'' foods can have inflammatory effect at the molecular level. If the above properties elaborated by Charaka are to be understood, it can be clearly stated that they increase body tissues in volume and delay the digestion of food. This seems to be acceptable and the effect may be mediated through peptide YY. As it delays digestion and increases the nutrient uptake, these food substances lead to ''santarpana''. |