Vata dosha generally has weak, dry, and cold digestion with a lot of variability. This type of digestion is called
vishama agni in Ayurveda. A Vata's gut is the most unpredictable of all the body types. The digestive tract in general is an ever shifting, ever changing environment. With every new meal, the cocktail of microbes in your gut changes according to your food choices. The weather, stress, hydration, and your location also have an effect on the gut. It seems there are endless variables determining the fate of your digestion.
A person with vishama agni may have acute hunger, but suddenly feel full after very little food. This is because they lack enough enzymes to eat a hearty meal. On other days, a Vata person may forget to eat altogether. Some days they have three bowel movements, other days they have none. Some days their digestion is great, other days it's terrible.
Symptoms
Vata makes its home in the colon, and therefore, Vata people are more prone to colon disorders. Vata people commonly get indigestion, gas, bloating, constipation, and abdominal distension. Due to the mobile nature of Vata, Vata people may find that pains in their digestive tract move around a lot. They may experience colic, which is an asynchronous movement of the intestines, and/or weak peristalsis because of an imbalance in the mobile quality.
Vata tends to have enzyme deficiencies because of dry and cold qualities. This may cause poor absorption of nutrients and undigested food in the stool. Lack of absorption is part of the reason they are often hungry and underweight. They may eat a lot of food, but their body doesn't get much nourishment from it.
To improve digestion, Vata should add spices to warm up their digestion, such as ginger. They should keep hydrated with plenty of fluids and electrolytes and a pinch of sour taste. Hingvastak churna is an ayurvedic herbal formula specifically designed for Vata digestion. Digestive Comfort & Support Tea is a nurturing blend designed to heal and nourish a Vata gut.
If you don't know your body type yet, take the quizzes on Joyful Belly to find out. If you do know your body type, continue learning how to balance Vata by clicking one of the links below!
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