Sweet is among the six tastes in Ayurveda, and it’s most probably the one most enjoyed. Before we get started, we’d like to clarify that by sweet food, we’re not talking about sugary desserts – we mean naturally sweet foods like coconut milk, mangoes, and honey.

So, what place does the sweet taste have in the Ayurvedic diet? Let’s find out.

Effects On The Doshas

Sweet food is governed by earth and water. Its properties are heavy, oily, cooling, grounding, and building. Therefore it is pacifying for Vata and Pitta while being highly aggravating for Kapha.

List Of Healthy Sweet Foods

Here are some of the natural and healthy sweet foods to include in your diet:

• All sweet fruits like mangos, bananas, berries, and coconut
• Dried fruits like raisins and figs
• Carrot
• Beet
• Zucchini
• Sweet potatoes
• Pumpkin
• Rice
• Wheat
• Jaggery
• Honey
• Cashew
• Red lentils
• Mung beans
• Tofu
• Dairy
• Cardamom
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla
• Saffron
• Coriander
• Bay leaf

Benefits Of Naturally Sweet Foods

• Naturally sweet foods are known to be the most satvik in Ayurveda. Meaning they are the most calming and nourishing in nature.
• Sweet food increases ojas (vitality).
• As per Ayurveda it enhances mental as well as spiritual clarity.
• Being oily, it increases lubrication in the body, thus combating issues like dry skin and constipation.
• Being lubricating in nature, such food relieves excess thirst.
• Naturally sweet foods energise the body and fight fatigue.
• Since it pleases the senses and promotes calmness, food like warm milk with honey aids good sleep.
• Healthy sweet foods promote strength and nourish the tissues.
• Sweet food cools the body and soothes burning, which is beneficial for those with high Pitta.
• It helps increase body weight and muscles in those with Vata aggravation.
• It reduces stress and anxiety in the mind.
• The sweet taste brings a sense of satisfaction and enhances contentment.

Effects Of Sweet Food In Excess

• Kaphas should exercise strict moderation since sweet food easily aggravates this dosha.
• In excess, this kind of food can be too cooling. So, Vatas and Kaphas should eat sweet food that is warm in temperature. They should also combine it with warming Ayurvedic herbs like cardamom and cinnamon.
• It increases the production of phlegm in the body, especially milk products, and so must be avoided when you have chest congestion.
• Sweet food in excess can lead to the build up of ama (toxins) in the body.
• It can bring excess sluggishness and heaviness in Kapha types, aggravating problems like depression and obesity.
• In high amounts, sweet food can weaken the agni (digestive fire) and cause digestive issues.
• Excessive sweet food can have a dulling effect on the mind, especially for Kapha folks.
• It may also cause stomach worms.
• As most know, high amounts of sweet stuff can lead to elevated blood sugar levels and thus cause diabetes.

So, the key here is moderation for Vatas and Pittas. For Kaphas, the key is minimum. And white sugar is not considered a healthy food in Ayurveda. It is even aggravating for Vata. So stick to naturally sweet foods and reap the benefits!

Note: Posts on Ayurvedum are solely for the purpose of sharing the goodness of Ayurveda and bringing awareness about natural and healthy living. Please do not substitute it for professional medical advice. Ingredients discussed can interfere with certain medications. So, before using anything to treat yourself, always consult an Ayurveda doctor or practitioner.