Six tastes in Ayurveda Diet

The 6 tastes in the Ayurvedic Diet

Ayurveda recognizes more qualities in food than the typical Western categorization. In Ayurveda food is classified by these main attributes:

• the 5 Elements
• the 3 Doshas
• the 6 Tastes called “Rasas”
• the 3 Gunas

All of these attributes are interconnected and influenced by each other but to get a better understanding of the theories, we’ll be looking at the 6 flavors only here.

Ayurveda has a unique approach to break down tastes scientifically, each having its own therapeutic effects and changing impacts on your body; from the first taste to entering the body to being absorbed. The six tastes or Rasas that are distinguished in the Ayurvedic diet are Sweet, Salty, Sour, Pungent, Astringent and Bitter. These tastes originate from the five elements and transmit their properties. For a balanced diet Ayurveda recommends getting all of these flavors with every meal and adjust the amounts of each to your personal constitution. Apart from feeling satisfied this practice also ensures that all major food groups and nutrients are present.

Overview

The following table provides an overview over the effects of the different tastes; the upper row naming the positive effects of the taste, the row below naming the effects when taste is consumed in excess. Pure forms of the tastes will aggravate your dosha more easily than complex versions and thus should be used with care; e.g. yoghurt is sour, sweet and heavy which makes it a complex taste and will less likely aggravate the Kapha Dosha than pure sugar.

Taste		Physical Effect	Mental Effect	Source
earth, water	Sweet	nourishes, builds and strengthens body tissues	soothing, calming, satisfactory	Carbohydrates, Protein, Fat Grains, pasta, rice, bread, starchy vegetables, dairy, meat, chicken, fish, sugar, honey
		fat diseases, obesity, diabetes	lethargy, anxiety
water, fire	Salty	lubricates tissues, softens, maintains mineral balance and holds water	enhances appetite and other tastes, enthusiasm, calms nerves and stops anxiety	Mineral salts Table salt, soy sauce, salted meats, fish, seaweed
		wrinkles, thirst, loss of strength, baldness	cravings, anger, impatience, lethargy
earth, fire	Sour	stimulates appetite and digestion, strengthens heart, relieves thirst and satiates	enhances intellectual activities	Organic acids: ascorbic acid, citric acid, acetic acid Citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, pickled foods, salad dressing, yoghurt, alcohol
		loss of strength, fever, thirst	resentment and jealousy, anger, impatience, hot temper
fire, air	Pungent	warms body and promotes sweating, improves metabolism and relieves nerve pain	opens mind and senses	Essential oils Peppers, chilies, onions, garlic, cayenne, black pepper, cloves, ginger, mustard, salsa, raddish, wasabi
		thirst, depletion of reproductive fluid and strength, fainting, waist/back pain	irritability, anger, impatience
earth, air	Astringent	cleanses blood and helps maintaining healthy blood sugar level, dries moisture and fat	cools fiery minds,clears senses and emotions, removes lethargy	Tannins Lentils, dried beans, broccoli, green apples, pears, grape skins, cauliflower, cabbage, pomegranates, tea
		gas or constipation, heart pain, thirst	anxiety, worry, fear, insomnia
ether, air	Bitter	cleanses and detoxifies, reduces fat and water excess, relieves thirst and fever, antibiotic	helpful in managing food cravings, clears senses and emotions	Alkaloids or glycosides Green leafy vegetables, green and yellow vegetables, kale, celery, broccoli, sprouts, beets
		gas or upset stomach, tissue depletion	anxiety, fear, insomnia

Effects of the Flavors on the Doshas

soothing effect

aggravates Dosha when taken in excess