Yoga, as many believe, is not just an exercise; rather, it is a tool to improve mental focus and concentration. Apart from Yogasanas, dhyana is another form of yoga that will take both the body and the mind to higher levels, which requires proper nourishment. The eternal knowledge systems have clearly stated that certain type of foods is imperative for a peaceful and healthy inner Atman.
The body is composed of trillions of cells and each cell has both a physical body and a mental aspect. But none of these cells, tissues, and organs function in isolation; they depend on each other to control our bodily functions and mental ability, which underscores that the body and mind cannot be treated separately. The food taken will influence the body and the mind and the nutrients will influence our thoughts and emotions along with our growth and development. To understand the effects of food on the mind, we can refer to our eternal knowledge.
In the Bhagvadgita, it is clearly explained how our thinking and actions get influenced by food and why one chooses to eat a particular food. “Aharastvapi sarvasya trividho bhavati priyah”. It articulates the relationship between calm, fickle and indolent – the three major svabhava gunas (behavioural qualities) of man, and sattvik, rajasik and tamasik – the three types of food. If we try to understand this wisdom, we can correlate how the effects of sattva, rajas and tamas aspects of food are profound on the body and mind. This offers insights into mental health more effectively.
In the Shraddhatraya vibhag, chapter 11, verse 13 of Bhagvadgita, the food is classified into three categories – Sattvik (pure, promoting clarity and health), Rajasik (stimulating, leading to agitation) and Tamasik (heavy to digest, promoting lethargy). This offers a nuanced understanding of how different foods can affect one’s state of being.
“Ayuh sattva balarogyasukhapreetivivardhanah” (chapter 17, verse 8, BG) emphasises the importance of consuming foods that are beneficial for mental well-being. “Rasyah snigdhah sthira hrudya aharah sattvika priyah”, it further describes specific qualities of ideal foods, which are juicy, delicately sweetish and creamy with longer shelf life. These sattvik foods obtained from nonviolent methods are believed to promote health, happiness and peace to those who prefer them, and modern science endorses these concepts.
The science of sattva
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic levels reveal how nutrients interact within the body and mind. Pharmacokinetics involves the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of nutrients, while pharmacodynamics pertains to the biological effects these nutrients have on the mood. For example, sugars have a significant impact on mood and energy levels.
When the body is deprived of sugars, blood glucose levels drop, leading to a hypoglycemic state, causing symptoms like decreased energy, irritability, restlessness, mood swings, brain fog and confusion, making individuals feel uncomfortable and agitated. However, once sugars are ingested again, blood glucose levels rise and mood improves, leading to feelings of happiness and increased concentration, which facilitates dhyana.
Foods such as milk and milk products, sugars, cooked cereals, pulses with ghee or sweetened stewed vegetables are generally classified as Sattvik foods, including Rasya, Snigdha and Sthira. We have to understand why we distribute sweets to express our happiness, and not chili and pickles. Distributing items like Kheer and Laddu is a common practice to express happiness and promote positive feelings among others. Conversely, foods such as pickles and chilies are considered to have a different impact on the mind, often associated with more stimulating effects. This distinction underscores the influence of dietary choices on mental well-being.
Modern science indeed supports that sprouted pulses, dals, turmeric, til, and many more are good sources of nutrients like zinc, potassium, and phenolics that have a positive impact on moods, promote a state required for dhyana. Yoga schools and Ashrams across the world discourage coffee and pungent food as they cause disturbance while concentrating or doing dhyana. When I was in Rishikesh Ashram, my Ashramvasi, a Japanese, said about the sattvik food, “Whenever I eat ashram food, I can concentrate easily on chakras”.
Another from China said, “I feel good, and my mood elevates when I eat vegetarian food. After I return home, I want to continue the same food practices.” Others from Narve and Alaska echoed the same. They went on to say that they drank coffee 4-5 times a day, thinking that coffee uplifts the spirit. But they realised that without coffee, they could concentrate better. Thus, foods that keep us healthy and calm may be classified as sattvik.
When diet clouds the mind
BG 17.9 describes rajasik foods as, “katvamla lavanatyushna teekshnaruksha vidahinah”. Foods that are too salty, spicy, pungent, sour, or burning hot are called rajasik and can cause digestive disorders, such as gastritis. Such foods include pickles, fried foods like samosa, hot tea, packaged food with preservatives, beverages and pungent foods like garlic, onion, and caffeine. If consumed daily, they may cause gastric disorders, pain in the body due to accumulated gas and heartburn that lead to disturbed sleep and indirectly affect focus, potentially impacting concentration. Fried foods and meat cause fatty liver, cardiac disorders, coronary disorders, elevated blood pressure, obesity and diabetes. They may cause physiological and emotional stress, whereas a healthy body facilitates yogasanas and dhyana.
BG 17.10 articulates, “Yatayamam gatarasam pooti paryushitam cha yat. Uchchhishtamapi chamedhyam bhojanam tamasapriyam”. This means stale or tamasik foods with a foul smell, lacking rasa (bioactive nutrients) are liked by people who indulge in lethargy and socially unacceptable activities. Foods have agonist and antagonist effect on us. It is noteworthy that emotions run high on consuming alcohol and drugs as the chemicals in them interact negatively with our brain cells. They demotivate the body and take the mind away from practising yoga and dhyana and make one inhumane and disconnected from the surroundings.
Thus, Sattvik food can provide the necessary nutrients for optimal brain function and can significantly influence our mental state. Tamasik foods can lead to mental fatigue, mood swings, and other cognitive issues. This highlights the importance of proper food as an integral part of yoga and dhyana.
The yogic tradition therefore regards food as far more than a source of physical sustenance. Every meal shapes our energy, emotions and awareness, influencing the quality of our thoughts and actions. As the world embraces yoga as a path to holistic well-being, the wisdom of mindful eating remains as relevant as ever. A balanced body, a tranquil mind and a disciplined diet together create the foundation for deeper dhyana, inner harmony and lasting
