Who doesn’t love a bowl of chilled curd throughout summer time afternoons? Refreshing, tasty, and infrequently believed to chill the physique, it’s a in style staple within the Indian eating regimen throughout the hotter months. However seems that curd, when not consumed appropriately, might really trigger the other impact.
In line with Ayurveda, curd isn’t as “cooling” because it appears; it’s thought-about heating in nature, particularly after digestion. This may occasionally sound not very clear. In any case, curd feels chilly whenever you eat it. However Ayurveda doesn’t simply go by style or temperature. It appears at how a meals behaves as soon as contained in the physique.
“Curd tends to supply warmth and enhance pitta (the fireplace factor) and kapha (which may trigger heaviness and mucus). So, if eaten on the improper time or within the improper approach, it may result in issues like acidity, pores and skin breakouts, bloating, or sluggish digestion,” mentioned Dr Pratap Chauhan, Founder and Director of Jiva Ayurveda.
Story continues under this advert
Kanikka Malhotra, marketing consultant dietician and authorized diabetes educator, considerably agreed, saying that the concept that curd is cooling in nature is essentially anecdotal. “Nutritionally, curd’s excessive water content material and probiotics might contribute to a refreshing and hydrating impact, which could possibly be perceived as cooling. Nevertheless, there isn’t a scientific proof that curd instantly lowers physique temperature,” she advised indianexpress.com.
“Whereas timing doesn’t particularly improve a cooling impact, it does optimize digestive advantages. The perceived cooling sensation is perhaps because of curd’s hydrating properties and its soothing impact on the digestive system,” she added.
However don’t fear, you don’t need to cease consuming curd altogether. Consuming it appropriately on the proper time is the important thing to having fun with your favorite facet.
What’s one of the simplest ways to eat curd throughout summer time?
“Curd isn’t dangerous when eaten appropriately — actually, it may assist digestion and enhance intestine well being. However the timing, mixture, and amount issues, particularly throughout sizzling climate,” mentioned Dr Chauhan. Right here’s methods to profit from it:
Story continues under this advert
Finest time to eat: Lunch, when your digestion is strongest.
Keep away from at evening: Curd at evening can result in mucus, heaviness, and even disturbed sleep.
Attempt buttermilk as a substitute of curd (Supply: Freepik)
By no means eat plain curd. To make it lighter on digestion, combine in a pinch of black pepper and roasted cumin or flip it into chaos (spiced buttermilk).
Don’t pair curd with: Fish, onions, or heavy meals — these mixtures can disturb digestion and create toxins within the physique
Story continues under this advert
Who ought to be cautious?
Curd is probably not appropriate for everybody — particularly throughout summer time. “When you typically expertise points associated to warmth or mucus buildup within the physique, frequent acidity or heartburn, attempt to keep away from it. For these affected by pores and skin issues like zits, rashes, or irritation, together with respiratory points comparable to cough, chilly, or sinus congestion, the identical suggestion applies,” he added.
Alternate options to attempt
For summers, Dr Chauhan urged changing the good outdated curd with buttermilk with cumin and a touch of rock salt, which is way lighter and extra cooling. “It doesn’t trigger heaviness or enhance warmth within the physique. In Ayurveda, it’s identified to stability all three doshas (physique energies) — making it supreme for every day use throughout sizzling months,” he added.
