Digestion from the view of Ayurveda

Healthy digestion is the fundamental aspect of wellness in Ayurveda.

In Ayurveda we believe that almost all diseases are directly or indirectly related to disturbed digestion.

Digestion is important for breaking down food into nutrients, which your body uses for energy, growth, and cell repair. In Ayurveda, the complete digestion, absorption, and assimilation of food nutrients create a healthy body.

Complete wellness is not only physical digestion in the stomach but mental digestion as well. The proper, healthy digestion is a key function required for our overall well-being.

The third chakra regulates and stimulates all the activities in our body including the digestive system. The problem in the digestive system is an imbalance in the third chakra, in Pitta dosha and digestive fire – in Ayurveda it’s called "Agni".

The goal of Ayurveda is harmonising and balancing the energies in our body. As food is fuel for the physical body and mind, a little change in your diet can make big changes in your life – you are what you eat.

In Ayurveda we believe that digestive process goes in three stages and it takes 36 days to complete the full digestive process:

Stage one – timing is about 1,5-2 hours – takes place in the mouth and upper stomach. At this stage, saliva mixes with food to make it moist, foamy, and oily so the food can be well digested – that's why it is important to eat slowly. Imbalance in this stage is associated with Kapha dosha.

The second stage takes about 2-3 hours and takes place in the lower stomach and small intestine. Pancreatic secretions further break down the food. Imbalance at this stage, such as heartburn and acid reflux, are associated with Pitta dosha.

Stage three – the process takes 1,5-2 hours – takes place in the large intestine (colon). Digestion problems of the third stage, such as bloating and gas, are associated with Vata dosha.