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 common staple within the Indian weight-reduction plan throughout the hotter months. However seems that curd, when not consumed accurately, may truly trigger the other impact.In keeping with Ayurveda, curd isn’t as “cooling” because it appears; it’s thought of heating in nature, particularly after digestion. This will likely 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 seems to be at how a meals behaves as soon as contained in the physique.
“Curd tends to supply warmth and enhance pitta (the hearth factor) and kapha (which may trigger heaviness and mucus). So, if eaten on the incorrect time or within the incorrect method, it may well result in issues like acidity, pores and skin breakouts, bloating, or sluggish digestion,” stated Dr Pratap Chauhan, Founder and Director of Jiva Ayurveda.
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Kanikka Malhotra, guide dietician and licensed diabetes educator, considerably agreed, saying that the concept 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 straight lowers physique temperature,” she informed 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 must cease consuming curd altogether. Consuming it accurately on the proper time is the important thing to having fun with your favorite facet.
What’s one of the simplest ways to devour curd throughout summer time?
“Curd isn’t dangerous when eaten accurately — in actual fact, it may well help digestion and enhance intestine well being. However the timing, mixture, and amount issues, particularly throughout sizzling climate,” stated Dr Chauhan. Right here’s how you can take advantage of it:Story continues beneath 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 an alternative 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).
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Who ought to be cautious?
Curd will not be appropriate for everybody — particularly throughout summer time. “Should you 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 reminiscent of cough, chilly, or sinus congestion, the identical suggestion applies,” he added.
Alternate options to strive
For summers, Dr Chauhan prompt changing the great previous curd with buttermilk with cumin and a splash of rock salt, which is far lighter and extra cooling. “It doesn’t trigger heaviness or enhance warmth within the physique. In Ayurveda, it’s recognized to stability all three doshas (physique energies) — making it splendid for every day use throughout sizzling months,” he added.