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Traditional dietary pattern of indian food and its scientific basis: an overview

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Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: Traditional dietary pattern of indian food and its scientific basis: an overview
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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Author(s):

*Ayush Kumar Garg
PG Scholar, PG Department of Dravyaguna, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishanan Raj. Ayurved University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Amit Singh
PG Scholar, PG Department of Dravyaguna, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishanan Raj. Ayurved University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Harish Bishnoi
PG Scholar, PG Department of Dravyaguna, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishanan Raj. Ayurved University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Manoj Kumar Adlakha
Assistant Professor,PG Department of Dravyaguna, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishanan Raj. Ayurved University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Chandan Singh
Associate Professor, PG Department of Dravyaguna, Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishanan Raj. Ayurved University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan


Ayushdhara:

(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)

Full text available for: Traditional dietary pattern of indian food and its scientific basis: an overview

Year: 2017

Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0


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Summary of article contents:

Introduction

The Indian dietary landscape is a rich tapestry woven from over 5,000 years of diverse cultures and regional practices. This diversity is evident in the cuisine of India, which varies significantly across different regions, influenced by local agriculture, social identity, and religious practices. Historically, Indian diets were predominantly vegetarian, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, pulses, and cereals. With a keen understanding of the medicinal properties of local ingredients and spices, traditional Indian cuisine has been developed not only for nourishment but also for health, demonstrating an intricate relationship between dietary habits and cultural values.

Nutritional Significance of Ayurvedic Dietary Patterns

Ayurveda offers a unique perspective on dietary practices, recommending that foods should align with seasonal, regional, and individual health needs. It categorizes foods into three types—Sattvic (pure), Rajasic (stimulating), and Tamasic (dull)—which reflect their effects on the mind and body. Sattvic foods promote clarity and peace, while Rajasic foods can lead to restlessness, and Tamasic foods are seen as detrimental. This classification reveals how deeply interconnected Indian dietary habits are with spiritual and health considerations, emphasizing a holistic view of nutrition that transcends mere sustenance.

Cultural Influences on Dietary Choices

Food in Indian culture is not merely a means of nutrition but a symbol of social values and religious beliefs. Traditional diets are often reinforced by historical narratives, with certain foods deemed "good" for health, such as whole grains, legumes, dairy products, and organic foods. Conversely, many modern practices, such as the consumption of junk foods, are viewed negatively. Sweets hold particular importance in auspicious events and celebrations, showcasing the interplay between food, tradition, and cultural identity. The paper discusses how these cultural factors shape perceptions of health and nutrition, fostering a comprehensive understanding of dietary behaviors in India.

Conclusion

The diversity of Indian cuisine not only reflects regional ingredients and cooking techniques but also the socio-cultural fabric of the nation. Understanding these culinary traditions is essential for preserving the nutritional wisdom of the past for future generations. Although contemporary lifestyles have altered some dietary practices, the core values and knowledge surrounding traditional Indian food offer an invaluable resource for health and well-being. Documenting and appreciating the complex relationships between food, culture, and health in India can create opportunities to enhance public health initiatives and dietary guidelines in a rapidly changing world.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What influences the dietary patterns in India?

Dietary patterns in India are influenced by regional diversity, cultural practices, religions, and local agricultural availability. Different parts of India have unique cuisines reflecting their historical interactions and socio-cultural contexts.

How does Ayurveda relate to Indian dietary habits?

Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of diet tailored to individual health needs and seasonal changes. It categorizes foods into Rajasic, Sattvic, and Tamasic, influencing well-being through mindful consumption aligned with one's lifestyle.

What is the significance of vegetarianism in Indian cuisine?

Vegetarianism is prevalent in India, largely due to cultural, religious, and ethical beliefs. Many Indians consume proteins from legumes, pulses, and dairy, which play a crucial role in their traditional diet, contributing to health and nutrition.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Traditional dietary pattern of indian food and its scientific basis: an overview�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Food:
Food in the context of the article is crucial as it is discussed in terms of Indian dietary patterns, their cultural significance, nutritional value, and medicinal properties. The diverse dietary habits across regions in India highlight how food integrates health, tradition, and culinary practices.

2) Indian:
Indian refers to anything related to India, including its diverse cultural, social, and culinary practices. Indian food and dietary patterns are central to the article, illustrating how regional cuisine reflects India's rich heritage and influences on health and well-being.

3) India:
India is a country with a vast diversity of languages, cultures, and food habits. The article highlights India's regional dietary patterns, the historical and cultural context of its cuisine, and the health benefits derived from traditional Indian foods.

4) Diet:
Diet refers to the habitual patterns of food consumption. The article explores various dietary patterns in India, emphasizing their regional diversity, nutritional value, and the cultural and health significance of specific foods and preparation methods.

5) Rice (Rce):
Rice is a staple food in many parts of India, especially in southern and eastern regions. It features prominently in traditional dishes and is a dietary cornerstone providing essential carbohydrates and other nutrients to large portions of the Indian population.

6) Coconut (Cocoanut):
Coconut is widely used in South Indian cuisine, incorporated in dishes, chutneys, and even as a cooking oil. It is valued for its nutritional benefits, including high levels of electrolytes, vitamins, and its antioxidant properties, which contribute to overall health.

7) Summer:
Summer conditions influence food consumption patterns in India, with certain foods like buttermilk, dahi (curd), and raw onions being consumed to help stay cool and aid digestion. These dietary adjustments showcase how traditional practices align with seasonal changes for health benefits.

8) Milk:
Milk and dairy products like dahi (yogurt) and buttermilk are integral to Indian diets. They offer nutritional benefits such as calcium, probiotics, and cooling properties, making them especially important in regions with warmer climates or during summer months.

9) Disease:
Certain Indian foods are traditionally known to prevent or aid in the treatment of diseases. The article mentions foods that alleviate conditions like fever, hypertension, and digestive issues, underscoring the medicinal value of ingredients used in Indian cuisine.

10) Ghi (Ghee):
Ghee, or clarified butter, is extensively used in Indian cooking. It is known for its health benefits, including aiding digestion, providing essential fats, and its use in Ayurvedic medicine to treat various ailments, especially in the winter months.

11) Medicine:
Traditional Indian foods often serve dual purposes as both nourishment and medicine. Ingredients like spices, ghee, and certain vegetables have recognized therapeutic properties, making them integral to the holistic dietary approach promoted by Ayurveda.

12) Mustard:
Mustard seeds and mustard oil are commonly used in Eastern Indian cuisine. They impart a distinct pungent flavor to dishes and are known for their health benefits, including aiding digestion and having antibacterial properties.

13) Kumar:
[see source text or glossary: Kumar]

14) Blood:
Blood pressure regulation is influenced by certain Indian foods like bajra (pearl millet) and brown rice, which are rich in potassium and magnesium. These foods help manage hypertension, contributing to heart health as part of a balanced diet.

15) Curd:
Curd, or dahi, is a staple in Indian diets, offering cooling properties, aiding digestion, and being rich in probiotics. It is often consumed during summer and forms an essential part of meals across various Indian regions.

16) Crop:
Crops like rice, wheat, bajra (pearl millet), and various pulses form the foundation of Indian diets. These crops are adapted to regional climatic conditions and provide essential nutrients, supporting food security and dietary diversity.

17) Salt (Salty):
Salty foods, such as those found in certain Indian snacks, are a part of the country's diet but must be consumed in moderation due to health concerns like hypertension. Traditional diets often balance salty, sweet, sour, and spicy flavors.

18) Butter milk (Buttermilk):
Buttermilk, or chach, is widely consumed in Western India, especially during summer. It aids digestion, cools the body, and boosts immunity due to its lactic acid content, making it a healthful and refreshing drink.

19) Ayus (Ayush):
[see source text or glossary: Ayush]

20) Fish:
Fish is a significant part of the diet in coastal and eastern regions of India. It provides essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, contributing to heart health and being a vital protein source for non-vegetarian populations.

21) Cai (Caí):
Chai, particularly varieties like noon chai (salted tea) and kahwah (spiced green tea) in Kashmir, is culturally significant. It offers health benefits, such as stress reduction and improved digestion, and forms an integral part of social and religious practices.

22) Science (Scientific):
Scientific analysis of Indian dietary patterns highlights the nutritional and medicinal benefits of traditional foods. This perspective helps validate and promote the health advantages of dietary practices rooted in cultural and historical contexts.

23) Village:
Indian villages exhibit diverse food consumption patterns influenced by local agricultural practices and regional preferences. These patterns reveal dietary diversity and the significance of traditional foods in meeting nutritional needs.

24) Pulse:
Pulses, such as lentils and chickpeas, are a major protein source in Indian vegetarian diets. They are rich in nutrients, contributing to diet quality and forming the basis of many traditional dishes across different regions.

25) Tree:
Trees like the palm, which produces coconuts, and the khejari, known for sangari, are crucial in Indian diets. These trees provide ingredients used in traditional foods that offer significant nutritional and medicinal benefits.

26) Discussion:
The discussion in the article synthesizes the cultural, social, and health aspects of Indian dietary patterns. It emphasizes the value of traditional foods and cooking methods, their health implications, and the need to preserve this knowledge.

27) Rajasthan:
Rajasthan represents the Western Indian region with unique dietary patterns suited to its hot desert climate. Foods like buttermilk are consumed to aid digestion and cooling, while bajra and traditional dishes provide nutritional benefits specific to this region.

28) Mountain:
In mountain regions like those in North India, harsh conditions necessitate the use of adaptable crops like amaranth and buckwheat. These crops ensure food security and nutritional intake for communities living in extreme altitudes.

29) Cancer:
Certain Indian foods contain ingredients known for their cancer-fighting properties. For example, turmeric, common in Indian cuisine, has been studied for its anti-cancer effects due to its active compound curcumin.

30) Sugar:
Sugar is a significant part of Indian sweets, which hold cultural and religious importance. While sweets are integral to celebrations and auspicious occasions, moderation is advised due to potential health impacts like diabetes and obesity.

31) Eastern India:
Eastern Indian culinary practices feature rice and fish prominently and use mustard oil and seeds. The cuisine is lighter in spice, uses local vegetables and fruits, and emphasizes balanced meals with traditional health benefits.

32) Mustard oil:
Mustard oil is a staple in Eastern Indian cooking, known for its pungent flavor and health benefits, including improved digestion and antibacterial properties. It plays a significant role in traditional recipes and everyday cooking.

33) Dravyaguna (Dravya-guna):
[see source text or glossary: Dravyaguna]

34) Rajasthani:
Rajasthani cuisine includes unique foods adapted to the arid climate like bajra, sangari, and buttermilk. These foods offer nutritional benefits and reflect the traditional dietary practices that help maintain health in the desert conditions of Rajasthan.

35) Fenugreek:
Fenugreek seeds are common in Indian cuisine, known for their health benefits. They aid in digestion, help regulate blood sugar levels, and are particularly beneficial for lactating mothers to enhance milk production.

36) Knowledge:
Knowledge of traditional dietary practices and their health benefits is passed down through generations. The article emphasizes the importance of preserving this knowledge to ensure future generations can benefit from these time-tested practices.

37) Language:
India's diverse languages reflect its rich cultural heritage, including culinary terms and names of regional dishes. Language plays a role in preserving the identity and uniqueness of regional cuisines across the country.

38) Tamarind:
Tamarind is used in various Indian dishes for its tangy flavor and health benefits, including aiding digestion and thinning the blood. It is a key ingredient in many traditional recipes like sambhar, especially in South India.

39) Kashmir:
Kashmir's cuisine includes unique teas like noon chai and kahwah, which have health benefits and cultural significance. The region's food reflects its climate, culture, and historical influences, emphasizing the use of local ingredients.

40) Bengal (Bemgal):
Bengal, in Eastern India, is known for its use of fish, rice, and mustard oil in its cuisine. Bengali food includes a variety of spices and preparation methods, with dishes like daal, fish curries, and sweets like rasgulla.

41) Garlic:
Garlic is a staple ingredient in Indian cooking, known for its medicinal properties such as boosting immunity, reducing cholesterol, and aiding digestion. It is used to enhance the flavor and health benefits of many traditional dishes.

42) Cilli:
Chilli, used fresh or dried, is a common spice in Indian cuisine, contributing heat and flavor. Capsaicin in chillies has health benefits like increased metabolism and fighting infections, making it a valued ingredient in traditional cooking.

43) Matta (Mattam):
Matta rice, or Shalichawal, is a variety of brown rice prevalent in South India. It is valued for its nutritional benefits, including aiding digestion, improving bone health, and providing essential vitamins and minerals.

44) Honey:
Honey is used in traditional Indian medicine and cooking for its health benefits, including antibacterial properties, soothing sore throats, and serving as a natural sweetener. It is often included in sweets and medicinal preparations.

45) Pearl:
Pearl millet, or bajra, is a staple in the diet of Western India. It provides energy, aids digestion, regulates blood pressure, and is adapted to the hot, dry climate of the region, making it a vital crop.

46) Fever:
Fever remedies in traditional Indian medicine often include ingredients like tulsi (basil). Tulsi tea is used to reduce body temperature, highlighting the medicinal use of herbs and spices in Indian dietary practices.

47) Fight:
Indian foods often contain ingredients known for their ability to fight diseases and enhance immunity. Examples include turmeric, with its anti-inflammatory properties, and garlic, which helps combat infections and boosts overall health.

48) Soup:
In Indian cuisine, soups like daal (lentil soup) and rasam are common. They are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients and medicinal properties, aiding digestion, providing protein, and boosting immunity.

49) Dahin (Dahi):
Dahi, or yogurt, is fundamental to Indian diets, offering probiotics, aiding digestion, and providing a cooling effect. It is consumed in various forms, including as a side with meals, in drinks like lassi, and in dishes like curd rice.

50) Drug:
Traditional Indian foods and spices often serve as natural remedies, reducing the need for synthetic drugs. Ingredients like turmeric and tulsi are used for their medicinal properties, providing therapeutic benefits without the side effects of conventional drugs.

51) clarified butter:
[see source text or glossary: clarified butter]

52) Southern India:
Southern Indian cuisine is characterized by the extensive use of rice, coconut, and spices. The diet includes dishes like dosa, idli, and sambar, known for their nutritional benefits and the use of fresh, minimally processed ingredients.

53) Western India:
Western Indian cuisine reflects the hot climate, with dietary staples like buttermilk and bajra (pearl millet) that provide cooling and nutritional benefits. This region's food practices adapt to the arid environment while offering health benefits.

54) Coconut water:
Coconut water is highly valued in South Indian dietary practices for its electrolytes, vitamins, and hydrating properties. It is often consumed to maintain hydration and balance body fluids, especially in hot climates.

55) Inflammation:
Foods like onion and turmeric are used in Indian cuisine for their anti-inflammatory properties. These ingredients help reduce inflammation, contributing to the overall health benefits of traditional Indian diets.

56) Depression:
Certain Indian ingredients and traditional foods are known for their mood-enhancing effects. For example, curd (yogurt) contains probiotics that can improve gut health, which has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression.

57) Meghalaya (Megha-alaya):
Meghalaya, part of Eastern India, contributes to the region's diverse food habits with its unique culinary practices. The state's traditional foods use local ingredients and are influenced by the local climate and culture.

58) Flavonoid:
Flavonoids found in ingredients like onions and garlic used in Indian cooking are known for their antioxidant properties. These compounds help in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, promoting overall health.

59) Pesticide:
The article highlights the concern about pesticide-treated vegetables, which are considered harmful for health. Organic vegetables and traditional farming practices are preferred to avoid the negative impacts of pesticides.

60) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, emphasizes balanced diets that suit individual doshas and seasonal variations. It classifies foods into sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic categories, each affecting the mind and body differently.

61) Cinnamon:
Cinnamon, used extensively in Indian cooking, is known for its medicinal properties, including regulating blood sugar levels, reducing inflammation, and having antioxidant effects. It adds flavor and health benefits to various dishes.

62) Marriage:
Sweets and special foods play a significant role in Indian marriages and other celebrations. These foods symbolize auspiciousness and are integral to the rituals and traditions observed during such events.

63) Pregnant:
During pregnancy, Indian dietary practices include specific foods that are believed to support health and well-being. Sweets made from jaggery and milk-based products are commonly given to expectant mothers for their nutritional benefits.

64) Servant:
In India, leftover food is often given to domestic servants or those in need, reflecting the socio-economic dynamics and cultural practices related to food distribution and consumption within households.

65) Mineral:
Indian diets are rich in minerals due to the variety of ingredients used. Foods like bajra and various pulses provide essential minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium, contributing to overall health and preventing deficiencies.

66) Jaggery:
Jaggery is a traditional unrefined sugar used in Indian cuisine and medicine. It offers health benefits like aiding digestion, providing minerals, and being a more natural sweetener compared to refined sugar.

67) Wisdom:
Culinary wisdom in Indian culture involves the knowledge of using food for health benefits, passed down through generations. This includes understanding the medicinal properties of ingredients and their appropriate use in diets.

68) Family:
Family traditions significantly influence Indian dietary practices, with recipes and food habits being passed down through generations. Meals are often shared, emphasizing the social and cultural importance of food.

69) Pandita (Pandit):
Pandits, or learned scholars, often have deep knowledge of traditional dietary practices and Ayurvedic principles. They may guide communities on the health benefits and appropriate consumption of various foods based on cultural and religious texts.

70) Pitta:
Pitta, one of the doshas in Ayurveda, represents the body’s metabolic system. Foods that aggravate pitta, such as hot and spicy foods, are avoided in specific seasons to maintain balance and prevent health issues.

71) Methi:
Methi, or fenugreek, is used in Indian cuisine for its health benefits, including aiding digestion, lowering blood sugar levels, and enhancing milk production in lactating mothers. It is a staple in various traditional dishes.

72) Glass:
In the context of Indian dietary habits, glass utensils are often used to serve drinks like buttermilk and lassi. Glassware reflects traditional serving practices and is preferred for specific beverages to enhance taste and presentation.

73) Tulsi:
Tulsi, or holy basil, is revered in Indian culture for its medicinal properties. It is used in traditional remedies for fever, cold, and digestion issues, highlighting its importance in both culinary and medicinal practices.

74) Gravy:
Gravy is a fundamental component in many Indian dishes, providing flavor and moisture. It often incorporates rich blends of spices, tomatoes, and onions, forming the base for curries and enhancing the overall taste and nutritional profile.

75) Ulcer:
Traditional Indian foods and ingredients like curd and turmeric are known to have properties that can help alleviate ulcers. These dietary practices show the integration of medicine and food in promoting digestive health.

[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 83]

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