The global acceptance of holistic well-being is driving International Yoga Day's growth and appeal to people of all backgrounds. Celebrated on June 21st every year, this auspicious day has grown to become a global platform for yoga practice, which promotes physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Yoga has impacted millions of people's lives and encouraged them to lead healthier lifestyles with its deep advantages that permeate every element of life.
Yoga and nutrition are forever intertwined, and you need to incorporate both mindfully into your lifestyle to achieve the desired results. Therefore, Slurrp interviewed Certified Nutritionist and Fitness Trainer, Rahul Sachdev to gain more insights into the relationship between yoga and nutrition heading into International Yoga Day 2024.
The Synergy Between Yoga and Nutrition
When asked Rahul about the interplay of yoga and nutrition, he stated, "Sattvic foods are light and healthy in nature, and both yoga and Ayurveda advise including them in a regular diet. Vegetarian, high-antioxidant, vitamin- and mineral-rich, and freshly prepared foods are said to do wonders for your energy, happiness, peacefulness, and mental clarity." He also continued by saying, "A diet like this is also beneficial for increasing flexibility and stamina to execute yoga poses with ease. In order to enter the meditative state, it also aids in improving attention."
Further going deep into the subject, Rahul also mentioned the relationship between gut and brain health. As yoga is directly linked to your mental and neurological health, nutrition does the same for your gut, thus creating an even more direct relationship between yoga and nutrition.
"The body and the mind are both important aspects of yoga. You may adopt a positive mindset with the correct nutrition. In our gut microbiota, billions of bacteria control a wide range of bodily processes. Nutritional absorption and digestion are two important roles of the gut-brain axis. The enteric neural system connects the gut and the brain. Because it can function without the central nervous system, it is sometimes referred to as the 'second brain' in many cases," added Rahul.
He further continued and stated, "The release of enzymes, the motility of the gut, and the absorption of nutrients are all regulated by this communication." Thus clarifying the exact connection.
Interviewing further, Rahul discussed the never-ending problem of junk food cravings and how it is a prevalent issue of today's generation.
Rahul said, "Our craving for junk foods increases with the amount of junk food we consume. Our susceptibility to several lifestyle illnesses and obesity can be caused over time by the hidden sugar and salt levels in these foods. Adopting a healthy diet can be supported by yoga," highlighting the problem of indulging in junk food. He further went on to discuss how yoga can help people combat such cravings, "Yoga can assist people in being more aware of their bodies and improving their eating habits by lowering stress and encouraging mindfulness. A healthy weight may be maintained, and nutrients can be better processed by the body with the support of yoga's improved metabolism and digestion," he added.
The Need For A Balanced Diet
After moving away from the previous subject, Rahul emphasised the need to have a balanced diet in order to stay healthy with yoga. He stated, "To live a healthy lifestyle, one must incorporate various nutrients in their diet such as carbohydrates, protein, and fibre in the right amount. And don't forget fats. Your body also needs healthy fats in order to function at its best. Include a variety of foods such as ghee, nuts, and seeds to complete your daily quota of fats. Don't skip them," he added highlighting the importance of all the nutrients and how they affect the daily lives of people.