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 fashionable staple within the Indian weight-reduction plan throughout the hotter months. However seems that curd, when not consumed appropriately, may really trigger the other impact.
In response to 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 once you eat it. However Ayurveda doesn’t simply go by style or temperature. It seems at how a meals behaves as soon as contained in the physique.
“Curd tends to provide warmth and enhance pitta (the hearth component) and kapha (which might trigger heaviness and mucus). So, if eaten on the unsuitable time or within the unsuitable manner, it will possibly result in issues like acidity, pores and skin breakouts, bloating, or sluggish digestion,” stated Dr Pratap Chauhan, Founder and Director of Jiva Ayurveda.
Kanikka Malhotra, guide dietician and licensed 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 could contribute to a refreshing and hydrating impact, which may very well be perceived as cooling. Nevertheless, there is no such thing as a scientific proof that curd immediately 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 likely to be because of curd’s hydrating properties and its soothing impact on the digestive system,” she added.
However don’t fear, you don’t should cease consuming curd altogether. Consuming it appropriately on the proper time is the important thing to having fun with your favorite facet.
What’s the easiest way to devour curd throughout summer time?
“Curd isn’t dangerous when eaten appropriately — the truth is, it will possibly assist digestion and enhance intestine well being. However the timing, mixture, and amount issues, particularly throughout sizzling climate,” stated Dr Chauhan. Right here’s how one can take advantage of 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 must be cautious?
Curd will not be appropriate for everybody — particularly throughout summer time. “If you happen to usually 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 corresponding to cough, chilly, or sinus congestion, the identical suggestion applies,” he added.
Options to strive
For summers, Dr Chauhan urged changing the good outdated curd with buttermilk with cumin and a splash 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 recognized to steadiness all three doshas (physique energies) — making it best for day by day use throughout sizzling months,” he added.