AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON SWEET

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Sweet taste includes nourishing foods like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Sweet taste doesn't necessarily mean sugary, but also includes anything that tastes nourishing (i.e. builds muscle or fat tissue). Before refined sugars, bread tasted naturally sweet. Sweet taste is life giving. It builds ojas because it nourishes the sap or blood plasma of the body.

Sweet taste is rare in nature, and desirable. We need sweet taste to survive. After the agricultural revolution, sweet taste became abundant. It dominates the modern grocery store, probably because this is the taste that humans are most attracted to.

Sweet Taste & Circulation

Excess use of sweet taste, especially refined grains and refined sugars, thickens blood plasma. Thick, sticky blood plasma bogs circulation, causing stagnation and high blood pressure. Poor circulation also causes swelling in the hands and feet.

Sweet Taste in the Skin

When circulation is excessively boggy, metabolic byproducts (cellular poop) get trapped in the lymphatic system, causing inflammation. To see this effect more clearly, make a thumbprint on your arm. A white thumbprint surrounded by red skin could mean the lymphatic system is stagnant and inflamed. Note: this effect is usually prominent on the arms and legs.

Sweet Taste, the Lungs, & the Thyroid

Healthy lungs depend on good circulation to keep them hollow, otherwise, the lungs fill up with mucous and water. Excess sweet taste causes mucous buildup in the lungs and back of the throat. Boggy circulation and a thick layer of mucous covering the lungs reduces the circulation of oxygen (prana). The thyroid compensates by lowering metabolism. Many people have low thyroid activity without being aware of it. Symptoms of low thyroid include being overweight, cold body temperature, dry skin, and constipation.

Sweet Taste & the Kidneys

Dense, gooey, sticky blood plasma causes water retention in the kidneys and may lead to edema. While Kapha types are prone and should discourage water retention, dry Vata types can use the sweet taste to help retain fluids.

Ayurvedic Classifications

Sweet taste is cooling, heavy, oily, and sticky. It brings softness and stability. Sweet taste coats the tongue and throat. It facilitates elimination of bowels. It is beneficial to children, the elderly, and in debilitated persons. Sweet taste alleviates thirst, pacifies Pitta and Vata, and nourishes the mind. Sweet taste helps in wound healing as long as the wound is not infected.

Remedies for Excess Sweet Taste

Avoid refined sugar, candy, soda, ice-cream, and other processed foods with sugars. These foods confuse your 'appestat' - your body's natural appetite control mechanisms. Honey and fruits may be a safe way to satisfy your sweet cravings without weight gain, and are also much less addictive. Raw honey is a great natural fat metabolizer and stabilizes blood sugar, and its warming quality boosts your energy. Raw honey is known to help reduce the toxins off of the intestinal wall. You can also try date sugar, bananas, or raisins as sugar substitutes in your cooking.

Bitters like kale and dandelion leaves directly oppose sweet taste. They are drying, regulate blood sugar levels, reduce cholesterol, and thin the blood. Pungent taste, including black pepper and ginger, stimulates circulation and heat.

INGREDIENTS WITH SWEET QUALITY

HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS WITH SWEET QUALITY

HELPFUL FOR*

'Sweet' may be helpful for these symptoms and causes below.

CONTRAINDICATIONS / AGGRAVATES / IS AGGRAVATED BY*

'Sweet' may aggravate, or be aggravated by, these symptoms and causes below.

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 6 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.

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