Yoga and Nutrition in Changing Lifestyle: An Integrative Perspective
Keywords:
Saucha, Ahimsa, Vata, Pitta, KaphaAbstract
Context: In today's world, everyone is trying to find the balance between changing lifestyle and healthy practices. Yoga and nutrition are the two most important aspects of a healthy human life.
Aim: This review paper examines the multidimensional relationship between yoga and nutrition, emphasizing how dietary practices influence the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of yoga. It explores traditional yogic dietary principles, their scientific basis, and their feasibility in modern lifestyles, considering challenges such as food adulteration, processed diets, and conflicting dietary trends. It also emphasizes the growing interest in integrating yoga and evidence-based nutrition for optimal health.
Materials and Methods: A systematic review of published literature was conducted across databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ResearchGate, JSTOR, and ScienceDirect, focusing on research papers from 2010–2024. Studies related to yoga, nutrition, and their relationship were included in the study.
Results: This review explores the dynamic relationship between yoga and nutrition in the context of modern lifestyle changes and food quality concerns. Evidence suggests that yoga offers significant health benefits, including improved metabolic control and reduced reliance on medications. However, the traditional yogic diet's relevance is challenged by urbanization and the availability of processed foods.
Conclusion: This review advocates adaptable, practical approaches to yogic nutrition that align with contemporary needs while preserving its core principles of awareness, balance, and sustainability. It concludes that integrating yoga and nutrition requires adapting ancient principles to modern needs, emphasizing evidence-based dietary strategies that consider individual body types and cultural differences.
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