Ayurveda is the world’s oldest medicinal system that assures total health and fitness to an Individual. To be healthy means to have good digestive activity in the body.
If the stomach is healthy, one will always be less prone to diseases. Whatever we eat is a good source of energy, minerals, and vitamins. If our digestive system gets hampered we will be unable to get enough nutrients from the food that we eat.
In Ayurveda, a theory about food habit is different and is concluded in “Ahara- Niyama”
According to the movement of the Sun, a day is divided into 4 parts and each part has a varied influence on Doshas. Pitta influences day part hence is best suited to digest and process food. So the correct time to have the heaviest meal is noon.
If we eat wrong, heavy, junk, spicy, and stale food at night i.e.- Kapha, it leads to many abnormalities like Obesity, Diabetes, Insomnia, Heart diseases, and Gastritis. Heavy meals at night lead to impaired digestion and if digestion gets improper then it produces ‘AMA’ a toxin that leads to joint pain, increase in cholesterol levels, variations in Glycogen levels. Ayurveda believes that 6 tastes i.e.- Sweet, Sour, Salty, Bitter, Pungent, and Astringent have different properties which affect the working of 3 Doshas in the body. Excessive intake of any taste vitiates the Doshas hence leads to the origin of different diseases in the body.
According to Ayurveda, to stay healthy and fit and for better functioning of the body, one should avoid thesefoods at night.
CURD- Curd itself is a good source of Lactobacillus, a healthy diet for the intestine. But its consumption at night is prohibited as it is heavy and therefore hard to digest at night. Also due to its cold property, it leads to pain in joints further harming other joints of the body. It impairs digestion and promotes acid reflux. It increases Kapha dosha in the body which leads to overproduction of mucus in the nasal passage.
DAIRY PRODUCTS- Dairy products i.e.- Milk, Curd, Ghee, Butter, and Cheese are heavy and are not easy to digest. They may lead to a crash of blood sugar levels at night. Milk itself increases Fructose level which increases glucose levels directly in the body. It is also responsible for an increase in fat level in the liver which further leads to Obesity. Regular intake of milk before bedtime leads to an increase in calorie intake which directly increases fat and hence leads to weight gain.
BANANA- Banana is one of the most powerful fruit but its consumption at night is strictly prohibited as it aggravates cough and cold. Also, it takes a very long time to get digested and makes you feel lazy.
1 Banana has approximately 105 calories so its consumption at odd timing will increase your daily calorie intake. Also, the ones who are more prone to lung infection and allergies should avoid eating bananas as they can aggravate symptoms after their consumption.
SPICY FOOD- Spicy food is never good for health as it hampers the functioning of the digestive system. Spicy food causes indigestion and Epigastric discomfort. Hot and spicy food increases body temperature and causes restlessness during the night. Chilly pepper promotes excessive thirst in the body and due to its pungent nature, it leads to heartburn and acid reflux especially at night.
CAFFEINE- Caffeine intake leads to overactivation of the brain which disturbs the sleep pattern. It is a direct central nervous system stimulator that also affects our heart, muscles and controls blood pressure. Intake of Caffeine at night activates all the functions related to the heart, muscles and also increases blood pressure which might be dangerous if not monitored at night.
According to Ayurveda, the consumption of light meals before bedtime makes a person quite fresh for the next day. Also, light food promotes sound sleep. Cut salt intake at night. For a healthy disease-free long life follow a healthy routine with a proper exercise routine, Meditation, and don’t forget to connect with Nature. Be thankful for everything around you!
Author Bio
Dr. Mukesh Sharda BAMS, Ph.D., is a renowned Ayurvedic rheumatologist-CEO and Founder of Dr. Sharda Ayurveda practicing for more than 15+ years and successfully treated more than 50k+ patients worldwide for all chronic diseases.