Digestion woes in winters? These 5 Ayurvedic foods have got you covered!

Winter season often marks the beginning of heavy meals like carrot halwa, corn roti, fried foods and heavy parathas in Indian households. In such a situation, stomach related health problems are bound to occur. However, the remedies for such digestive health issues can come in handy with the help of age-old practices in Ayurveda. With the help of Ayurvedic remedies one can keep their digestion intact and avoid the problem of gas and acidity. Another reason that can be attributed to digestive issues is the lack of physical activities in winter. Usually, in winters, one’s metabolism slows down which directly impacts the digestive system.

Digestion problems in the winter season

Acidity is one of the most commonly occurring conditions in the winter season. While acidity tops the chart; gas, constipation, indigestion, acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease are not far behind.

We spoke with Dr Anand Dwivedi, Ayurvedic doctor at Kapiva Academy of Ayurveda who cleared the air, “Winter is the season of Kapha and Vata depending on the geographical location of the place. According to Ayurveda, digestion is based on the digestive fire (gastric fire). During this time, this fire becomes stronger in some individuals and makes them consume heavy food. However, the metabolism slows down due to constant exposure to cold temperatures which creates digestion related problems. To combat this and keep oneself healthy, Ayurveda prescribes ‘Ritucharya’ (seasonal food knowledge). The secret to staying healthy in winters lies in balancing one’s doshas with the strong energy of this season. This is achieved by consuming the right type of food in every season, specifically winters. The seasonal regimen in Ayurveda is not limited to just food, but it covers all aspects of a person’s lifestyle and the doshas that regulate metabolism.”

When further asked about how to improve digestion with the help of Ayurveda, Dr. Dwivedi recommends, “Drinking lukewarm water in the morning is an easy way to improve digestion. Consuming hot water 30 minutes before a meal cleanses your digestive system and allows you to digest food easily.” He further adds, “It may seem difficult to get up to workout in the cold weather, but regular exercise can help improve your digestive health. This can reduce the chances of gastrointestinal problems. Adding herbs and spices to your food plate helps in increasing the digestion process. Cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cumin seeds, gooseberry, cardamom, cayenne pepper, nutmeg and cloves are all known to trigger the digestive fire and strengthen the immune system. One can also look at consuming Kapiva’s Digesti-care juice which helps in getting rid of acidity, bloating and promotes overall digestive health. This juice is prepared by mixing herbal components like amla, cumin, asafoetida, carom seeds and coriander which promotes digestion and works as a one-stop solution for all your digestive health needs.”

5 Ayurvedic foods for digestion

While Amla is a winter superfood which contains fibers that help in improving digestion and strengthens the metabolism, understanding it from an ayurvedic lens, it is a pitta samadha and hence amla’s health benefits include controlling the production of excess pitta in the body. On the other hand, cumin accelerates the process of bile acid production in the liver and helps in the digestion of fats. The thymol present in carom seeds helps in the release of gastric juices in the stomach, thereby promoting the digestion process. Coriander stimulates the intestine and increases the production of stomach acid, which helps in reducing acidity while Asafoetida, also known as the ‘Food of the Gods’ has a myriad of nutritional elements like carbohydrates, fibre, potassium, calcium, iron that not only aids in digestion but also promotes overall digestive health.

Having the time to purchase and prepare these herbs can be tiring, thus consuming a herbal concoction like Kapiva’s Digesti-care juice can turn out to be a smart and healthy option for you. All one needs to do is mix 30ml of Digesti-care juice in a glass of water and take it twice a day after meals.

Read More: Ayurvedic herbs which could help you shed those kilos away!

Another vital point to improve digestion in winter is the consumption of seasonal vegetables; these are naturally good sources of fiber. This includes root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips and winter greens such as kale, sarson ka saag, spinach, fenugreek and amaranth.

Dr Dwivedi from Kapiva Academy of Ayurveda says that, according to Ayurveda, cold and dry foods should be avoided during this season. It is called ‘Climatic antagonism’ in Ayurveda. We should eat only hot food items in colder temperatures. Avoid drinking cold water, eating ice cream and cold foods which will aggravate Kapha and Vata.” He also recommends avoiding consumption of cold drinks, packaged foods, canned foods and frozen foods. These are in general difficult to digest.”

Even after adopting these rules, if you have any problem related to digestion, then one can look at adopting Ayurvedic remedies prescribed by Dr. Dwivedi. With his expertise, he suggests, “In Ayurveda, the same type of Vata is responsible for the normal activities of the stomach and intestines. Violation of Samana Vata interferes with normal activities, leading to disturbances in

digestion, thereby creating flatulence and gas formation.”

By now, you must have understood how helpful following the science of Ayurveda and relying on herbs can be for one’s digestive health. So, sticking to a healthy and fiber-rich diet, exercising daily and keeping yourself hydrated is the way to go! Adding in Kapiva’s Digesti-care juice can prove to be another great option to keep digestive health issues at bay.