Ayurvedamagazine

Category: AYURVEDA

  • From Earthen Tanks to Plastics: Silent Environmental Shift, Implications

    Water is the most universal daily exposure in human life. Every individual interacts with water multiple times a day. While significant attention is given to water purification and contamination control, an important aspect of water safety remains relatively underexplored: the materials used to store water.

    Many in India are shifting from traditional water storage methods—such as earthen vessels and cement tanks—to extensive use of plastic overhead water tanks. Installed on rooftops, these tanks remain exposed to intense sunlight, fluctuating temperatures, wind, and rain for prolonged periods.
    At the same time, the global medical community has observed a rise in metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances, infertility issues, and certain cancers. While these conditions are multifactorial, growing evidence suggests that environmental exposures, including chronic low-dose chemical exposure, may play a contributory role.

    This raises an important question:
    Could modern water storage practices represent an overlooked environmental exposure deserving scientific attention?

    Historical Perspective on Water Storage
    Traditional Indian water storage systems used locally available materials such as earthen vessels (Matka, Ghata), stone-lined reservoirs, cement tanks, and copper and brass vessels.
    Earthen vessels provided natural cooling through evaporation, while stone and cement structures offered durability and chemical stability. Importantly, these materials did not undergo polymer degradation under heat.
    Ayurvedic texts emphasize appropriate storage vessels (Bhajaniya Patra) and water purity, considering the vessel, storage duration, and environmental exposure. Thus, traditional practices reflected an early understanding that the storage medium influences the quality of stored water.

    Modern Shift to Plastic Overhead Tanks
    Plastic tanks are lightweight, cost-effective, corrosion-resistant, easy to install, and require minimal maintenance.
    However, most are installed in direct sunlight on rooftops, particularly in tropical climates where surface temperatures can exceed 45°C in summer. Prolonged thermal and ultraviolet (UV) stress raises questions about long-term material stability and chemical safety.

    Such tanks are typically HDPE or similar polymers. While considered food-grade, they are not entirely inert. Heat, UV radiation, and aging can cause surface oxidation, microcracking, polymer breakdown, and release of additives and microplastic particles.
    Research has demonstrated that elevated temperatures can increase the migration of certain compounds from plastic into stored liquids (Muncke, 2009; Groh et al., 2019).
    Among substances of concern are bisphenols, phthalates, styrene derivatives, and microplastics, which belong to or relate to the broader concern of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs). Microplastics have been detected in drinking water, human blood, placental tissue, and lung tissue, suggesting that environmental micro-exposures are increasingly becoming part of human biological systems (Leslie et al., 2022; Ragusa et al., 2021).

    Possible Health Implications
    Plastic water tanks are not the sole cause of modern diseases. However, the potential role of chronic environmental exposures cannot be ignored.
    Endocrine-disrupting chemicals have been associated with hormonal disorders, including early puberty, thyroid dysfunction, fertility challenges, and PCOS (Vandenberg et al., 2012).
    Some chemicals classified as obesogens influence fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity and have been associated with obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (Heindel et al., 2015).
    Endocrine-disrupting chemicals have also been studied in relation to hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, prostate, and testicular cancer. These associations remain an active area of research (Diamanti-Kandarakis et al., 2009).

    Ayurvedic Perspective
    Ayurveda places considerable emphasis on Jala Shuddhi (water purity) and proper storage methods. Classical texts describe copper vessels, seasonal adaptation in water handling, environmental exposure, and vessel hygiene.
    From an Ayurvedic perspective, environmental contaminants may be interpreted as external toxic influences (Agantuja factors) capable of disturbing internal equilibrium. Chronic exposure to unsuitable substances may contribute to Agnimandya, Ama formation, and Kapha–Meda Dushti.
    While ancient texts do not refer to plastics, their emphasis on vessel suitability and environmental purity remains relevant.

    Practical Preventive Considerations
    Recognizing potential risks does not imply abandoning modern materials but thoughtful use and design.
    Possible measures include:
    ▶ Use of certified food-grade, UV-stabilized plastic tanks
    ▶ Protective shading over rooftop tanks
    ▶ Periodic inspection and replacement of aging tanks
    ▶ Regular cleaning to prevent biofilm formation
    ▶ Considering RCC tanks, underground storage systems, and stainless steel tanks where appropriate

    Scope for Future Research
    The relationship between plastic water storage and long-term health outcomes remains underexplored, particularly in regions with extreme climatic conditions.
    Research should examine microplastic levels in stored water, comparison of storage materials, temperature-related chemical migration, and long-term health outcomes in high-temperature environments.
    Collaboration among public health experts, material scientists, environmental researchers, clinicians, and Ayurvedic scholars could provide meaningful insights.

    Conclusion
    Modern water storage practices have improved accessibility and convenience. However, as infrastructure evolves, its health impact needs reassessment.
    The widespread use of rooftop plastic tanks represents a silent but universal environmental exposure. While current evidence does not establish a direct link between plastic storage and disease patterns, emerging research on microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals highlights the need for investigation.

    References

    1. Diamanti-Kandarakis, E., et al. (2009). Endocrine Reviews.
    2. Groh, K. J., et al. (2019). Science of the Total Environment.
    3. Heindel, J. J., et al. (2015). Nature Reviews Endocrinology.
    4. Leslie, H. A., et al. (2022). Environment International.
    5. Muncke, J. (2009). Environmental Science & Technology.
    6. Ragusa, A., et al. (2021). Environment International.
    7. Vandenberg, L. N., et al. (2012). Endocrine Reviews.

  • 10 Days of Yoga, Months of Calm? Study Finds Lasting Shift in Stress System

    Ten days of an intensive programme combining yoga, naturopathy and dietary modification may leave a physiological imprint that lasts for months, according to a randomised controlled trial involving 262 people with hypertension.

    Researchers at the SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ujire, Karnataka, tracked changes in heart-rate variability (HRV)—a non-invasive marker of how the autonomic nervous system regulates the heart. Participants underwent supervised yoga and naturopathic therapies alongside a DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) -based diet for just 10 days, while a control group continued its usual medication. Researchers assessed HRV before the intervention, immediately afterwards, and again nine months later. 

    The striking finding was not simply that participants changed after 10 days, but that the difference in autonomic regulation remained detectable nine months later. The intervention group showed higher high-frequency HRV and lower low-frequency activity and LF/HF ratio—patterns interpreted by the researchers as a shift towards greater parasympathetic, or “rest-and-digest”, activity. 

    That matters because hypertension is not only a problem of elevated blood pressure. It is also intertwined with the autonomic nervous system, which continuously adjusts heart rate and cardiovascular function in response to stress and other demands.

    The study, published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies,  offers a more tangible measure than the familiar claim that yoga simply “reduces stress”. The researchers were able to follow a physiological marker of autonomic regulation long after the 10-day programme ended. 

    But the findings should not be stretched into a claim that ten days of yoga can permanently reset the body’s stress system—or replace hypertension treatment. The study examined people with hypertension, and the intervention was a package of yoga, naturopathy and diet rather than yoga alone. The authors themselves call for further research. 

    The more intriguing message is narrower: a relatively brief, structured lifestyle intervention may influence the body’s autonomic balance beyond the period in which it is actively delivered. Whether that effect translates into sustained improvements in blood pressure or long-term cardiovascular outcomes remains a question for larger and longer studies. 

    The trial was registered in India’s Clinical Trials Registry (CTRI/2019/01/016883). 

  • Cultural Sensitivity, Effective Communication Vital to Enhance India’s Medical Tourism: Study

    Cultural sensitivity, effective communication, and proper expectation management are critical to strengthening India’s position as a global medical tourism destination, according to a recent study conducted by researchers from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow.

    The study, published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management, found that international patients’ experiences in Indian hospitals were shaped not only by the quality of medical treatment but also by how well healthcare professionals understand and respond to cultural differences.

    The research was carried out by Payal Mehra, Professor of Communication at IIM Lucknow, and Dr Himanshu Tyagi, Director of the Orthopaedic Department at Fortis Hospital, New Delhi. It examined the experiences of 1,600 international patients receiving treatment at a Government of India-designated medical tourism hospital accredited by both the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI). The researchers analysed patient responses using multiple statistical methods to assess the relationship between cultural sensitivity, communication, and patient satisfaction.

    According to the findings, patients develop perceptions of a hospital’s cultural sensitivity before and during their treatment through various sources of information. These perceptions significantly influence how they evaluate communication with healthcare providers and the overall quality of care they receive.

    “India is an important hub of medical tourism. However, the market is still largely concentrated among patients from neighbouring countries with relatively lower cultural differences. Strengthening cross-cultural communication skills can help attract and retain patients from a wider range of countries,” Mehra said.

    The researchers recommended that hospitals introduce structured intercultural communication training programmes for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. They also suggested improving medical tourism websites with culturally relevant information about India’s healthcare system and tourism opportunities, while leveraging technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality to familiarise prospective patients with healthcare services before their arrival.

    Dr. Tyagi noted that international patients seek more than affordable treatment when travelling abroad. “Medical tourists look for trust, understanding, and reassurance. Hospitals that successfully bridge cultural and communication gaps can deliver better patient experiences while enhancing India’s competitiveness in the global medical tourism market,” he said.

    India is one of the world’s leading medical tourism hubs owing to its advanced healthcare infrastructure, internationally accredited hospitals, experienced specialists, shorter waiting periods, and comparatively affordable treatment costs. The study states that strengthening cultural competence among healthcare providers could further enhance the country’s appeal to patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

    Reference:

    ET Healthworld.com

    PTI

    Medical Tourism, IIM Lucknow, Cultural Sensitivity, Patient Communication, Healthcare, India

  • Europe’s Relentless Heatwave Claims Lives, Raises Alarm Over Climate Risks

    A record-breaking heatwave sweeping across Europe has claimed a heavy human toll, with France reporting nearly 1,000 excess deaths in just a few days as temperatures climbed to unprecedented levels across the continent. Health officials say the majority of those who died were elderly people, highlighting the growing vulnerability of ageing populations to extreme weather.

    The soaring temperatures have not only overwhelmed hospitals and emergency services but also disrupted transport, strained electricity supplies and sparked wildfires in several countries. Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland recorded their highest temperatures on record, while many regions experienced mercury levels exceeding 40°C. Scientists say such intense and prolonged heatwaves have become far more likely because of human-induced climate change.

    In France, health authorities observed a sharp rise in daily deaths during the peak of the heatwave compared with normal mortality figures. Most fatalities occurred among people aged 65 years and above, particularly those living alone or with existing medical conditions. Officials expect the death toll to increase as more reports are received from homes and long-term care facilities.

    The crisis has revived painful memories of the devastating 2003 European heatwave, which claimed tens of thousands of lives and prompted governments to strengthen heat action plans. Despite those efforts, the latest weather emergency suggests that rising temperatures continue to pose a serious public health challenge, especially in densely populated cities where concrete structures trap heat and limit nighttime cooling.

    Climate experts warn that Europe is warming faster than the global average, increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves. The World Health Organization has repeatedly called for stronger adaptation measures, including early warning systems, cooling centres, improved urban planning and better protection for vulnerable populations.

    Public health experts note that heat-related illnesses are largely preventable if timely precautions are taken. Infants, older adults, pregnant women, outdoor workers and people with heart, kidney or respiratory diseases face the highest risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke during prolonged periods of extreme heat.

    Stay Safe During Extreme Heat

    *Drink water regularly: Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Increase fluid intake and include oral rehydration solutions or electrolyte-rich drinks if sweating excessively.

    *Avoid peak afternoon heat: Stay indoors between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when temperatures are usually at their highest.

    *Wear light clothing: Loose-fitting, light-coloured cotton garments help the body stay cool.

    *Keep homes cool: Close curtains during the day, improve ventilation and use fans or air conditioning where available.

    *Have light meals: Choose fruits, vegetables, salads and water-rich foods such as watermelon, cucumber and citrus fruits. Avoid heavy, oily meals and excess alcohol.

    *Limit strenuous activity: Schedule outdoor work or exercise during early morning or evening hours.

    *Check on vulnerable people: Older adults, children and those with chronic illnesses may not recognise early signs of heat stress and may need assistance.

    *Know the warning signs: Dizziness, excessive sweating, muscle cramps, nausea, rapid heartbeat, confusion or loss of consciousness require immediate medical attention, as they may indicate heatstroke.

    With climate scientists predicting that extreme heat events will become more frequent and intense in the coming decades, experts say public awareness, preparedness and community support will be as important as government action in reducing heat-related fatalities.

  • Understanding Karkitaka Chikitsa Through Ritucharya

    Ayurveda science lays equal importance to prevention and treatment. An important preventive concept is Ritucharya—the seasonal regimen. According to Ayurveda, seasonal transitions influence the balance of the doshas in the body. When the external environment changes, the internal environment of the body responds to it. If the body fails to adapt properly, doshic imbalance occurs, eventually leading to ailments. Thus, Ayurveda recommends specific Panchakarma procedures for healthy individuals at particular times of the year—not merely as treatment, but as preventive seasonal purification.

    Ayurveda broadly describes six seasons: Shishira (Winter), Vasanta (Spring), Greeshma (Summer), Varsha (Rainy season), Sharath (Autumn), Hemantha (Pre-winter)

    Today, Panchakarma is often marketed as a ‘one-shot gut cleansing package,’ where multiple procedures are performed together. But classical Ayurveda recommends that these therapies be done in specific seasons because each season causes a specific ‘doshic’ aggravation, and the therapy is intended to eliminate that aggravated dosha and restore balance.

    For example:

    ● Varsha Ritu (rainy season) aggravates Vata, and hence Vasti is recommended.

    ● Sharath Ritu aggravates Pitta, and hence Virechana is recommended.

    ● Vasantha Ritu aggravates Kapha, and hence Vamana is recommended.

    Thus, the concept of ‘gut cleansing’ in Ayurveda is not a single event but a seasonal process distributed across three phases of the year, helping maintain long-term health and resilience. One such therapy is Karkitaka Chikitsa, a well-known seasonal treatment protocol in the Kerala Ayurvedic tradition. It has attracted many people even from foreign countries. But what is its actual significance?

    Karkitaka Chikitsa

    The concept of seasonal regimens in Ayurveda is fundamentally based on the body’s adaptation to seasonal transitions. Karkitaka is a month in the Malayalam calendar from mid-July to mid-August. It coincides with heavy rainfall in coastal southern India where Karkitaka marks a major climatic transition—from extreme summer heat to the colder monsoon season. This sudden environmental shift can significantly affect the body, a reason why Karkitaka Chikitsa became so important in this region. Interestingly, other seasonal transitions are not as pronounced in this coastal belt. The temperature change from rainy season to winter is not very significant, as winters here remain relatively warm. Similarly, the shift back to summer happens gradually, giving the body sufficient time to adapt.

    This raises an important question:

    If seasonal regimen is primarily based on abrupt climatic transitions, how relevant is Karkitaka Chikitsa for people living in entirely different climates?

    The answer is: not universally relevant.

    Karkitaka Chikitsa is essentially a regional treatment protocol developed to address the health issues caused by the sudden climatic shift during Karkitaka in Kerala’s geographical context. This does not mean everyone should undergo it. Rather, everyone should follow seasonal regimens according to the climate of their own region. For example, for someone living in a place where the transition from winter to spring is abrupt and intense, that period may be the ideal time for seasonal purification, and the appropriate shodhana therapy may be Vamana. The principle is simple:

    ● Observe your environment.

    ● Identify the periods in the year when seasonal transitions are abrupt.

    ● Choose the appropriate therapy and timing accordingly.

    Seen in this light, travelling to Kerala for Karkitaka Chikitsa may not make practical sense if you live in a completely different climate. It is far more meaningful to undergo seasonal therapy at the time your own body is preparing to face climatic stress in your region.

    Ayurveda: Universal Principles, Local Practices

    Ayurveda evolved as a traditional medical system. While its foundational principles are universal, its practical applications evolved regionally. This regional evolution depends on:

    ● Availability of medicinal substances

    ● Climate

    ● Food habits

    ● Cultural practices

    ● Political history

    For instance, the Kerala tradition of Ayurveda relies predominantly on herbal medicines with relatively minimal use of metals and minerals, partly because Kerala has limited mineral deposits. In Kerala, Ayurveda has a diversity of therapeutic procedures, as it evolved across communities, beyond rigid caste boundaries. Vaidyas across different communities contributed to a broader diversity of therapeutic knowledge and techniques making Ayurveda rich in treatment methodologies.

    Ayurveda Must Adapt to Region and Culture

    The concepts of Ayurveda have global relevance. Ayurveda works best when adapted according to the traditions, climate, food systems, and lifestyle of a region. What works for me, living in the southern coastal part of India, may not be suitable for someone living in northern Europe.

    Human beings evolved differently based on: climate, food availability, environment, physical demands of life. Our bodies still follow the fundamental principles of Ayurveda, but our adaptations differ. There is nothing wrong in experiencing traditional therapies from other regions. But if the intention is treatment or cure, we need to be more thoughtful. Today, Ayurvedic therapies are often consumed like spa experiences. A spa is primarily for relaxation offering comfort and temporary wellbeing. But Ayurveda has a deeper intention: cure. Traditional Ayurvedic therapies were originally designed with a therapeutic objective, not merely for experience.

    The Example of Kalari Chikitsa

    A good example is Kalari Uzhichil, the traditional massage associated with the martial tradition of Kalaripayattu. Kalari was historically practiced in Kerala and the Tulunadu region of Karnataka. Kalari Chikitsa evolved primarily to treat injuries sustained by warriors during training and battle. One of its well-known methods today is Chavittithirumal—a massage technique performed using the therapist’s feet. The Kalari practitioners were warriors with highly conditioned and muscular bodies. In many cases, hand pressure alone was insufficient to manipulate their muscles effectively. Techniques like Chavittithirumal evolved to generate deeper therapeutic pressure. But today, these therapies are often offered like spa experiences to people who may not have exercised even for a single day. In such cases, these therapies can create problems rather than healing. Even when you want to just experience traditional therapies, it is important to understand whether they suit your body type.

    Seasonal Therapies in the Modern Context

    Many Ayurvedic guidelines were developed for lifestyles very different from ours. Today, physical activity has reduced; food is available in surplus throughout the year questioning seasonal food restrictions; food from any part of the world is accessible at any time. Because of this, many disease patterns have changed. Diseases of the elite have now become common because modern life itself has become luxurious compared to earlier times. The same applies to seasonal regimens. Today, summer-related disorders affect mainly those who spend long hours outdoors. But for people working in air-conditioned environments, a different problem exists—the sudden shift from cold indoor temperatures to extreme outdoor heat. So, when designing seasonal regimens, these realities must be considered too. There is nothing wrong with living in temperature-controlled environments. But sudden shifts alter the body’s rhythm. For example, after coming in from intense heat, avoid immediately switching to extreme air-conditioning. Allow the body to first adapt to normal indoor temperature, and then gradually move into cooler environments. This gives the body time to adjust.

    The Core Principle

    Seasonal care in Ayurveda should be developed according to: your body, your region, your lifestyle, your environmental exposure and ideally under the guidance of a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. Ayurveda was never designed as a system of standardised packages. It is a deeply personalised and holistic system of medicine. Trying to fit it into rigid operational packages for convenience defeats its very philosophy. Every individual is different. And Ayurvedic care must reflect that individuality.

  • Vaazha 2 film Debate Deepens as LiverDoc says it’s Public Health Activism

    The Malayalam film Vaazha 2 has
    stirred intense debate within Kerala’s Ayurveda community. At the centre of the
    controversy is a storyline depicting liver damage linked to arishtam, a
    traditional herbal preparation containing alcohol. While the Ayurveda Medical
    Association of India (AMAI) has issued legal notices against the filmmakers,
    hepatologist Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips—widely known as LiverDoc—has defended the
    film, calling it an act of “public health activism.”

    Dr. Philips argues that the film reflects
    documented medical concerns, citing cases where unregulated use of herbal
    formulations has contributed to liver injury. He praised the filmmakers for
    raising awareness, noting that cinema can serve as a powerful medium to
    highlight overlooked health risks. His stance, however, has intensified
    tensions with Ayurveda practitioners who believe the portrayal undermines
    centuries of traditional healing wisdom.

    This clash underscores a larger question:
    how should traditional medicine engage with modern scientific scrutiny?
    Ayurveda has long underscored holistic healing, yet concerns about alcohol
    content and heavy metals in certain formulations demand careful regulation. The
    Vaazha 2 debate reminds us that safeguarding public health while honouring
    tradition requires dialogue, transparency, and evidence‑based practice.

     

  • World Liver Day a Grim Reminder to Protect Liver Health; Study says one in 3 Indians face liver health challenge risk

    On World Liver Day, on April 19, experts warned
    that nearly one in three Indians
    was at risk of liver issue, highlighting the theme this year—Solid Habits,
    Strong Liver.     The campaign underlines small, consistent changes in one’s
    way of life as the most effective defence against the silent epidemic of fatty
    liver and related conditions.

    In India, studies show that Metabolic
    Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), formerly known as fatty
    liver, now affects almost one in three adults, including younger populations.

    The liver, often called the body’s ‘detox
    powerhouse,’ plays a vital role in metabolism, digestion, and immunity. Yet today’s
    way of life lures one to remain sedentary, have processed diets served on a
    large platter, indulge in alcohol and more. This puts the liver under immense
    strain and eventually leads to challenges.

    According to experts, the liver has few
    pain receptors and thus the damage often goes unnoticed until advanced stages such
    as cirrhosis or cancer.

    Rising obesity, Type 2 diabetes, sedentary way
    of living, processed sugars and trans fats fuel the crisis.

    This
    can be prevented to a large extent through mindful living— having balanced
    nutritious diet rich in whole foods; doing regular exercise; reducing or
    keeping off alcohol and taking proper rest  

    In a nation
    where Ayurveda lays emphasis on ways to prevent ailments by living in tune with
    nature, it is unfortunate that liver health challenges are on the rise.

    Ayurveda emphasises the liver’s central
    role in maintaining pitta balance and overall vitality. Classical texts
    recommend herbs like kutki (Picrorhiza), bhumi amalaki
    (Phyllanthus niruri), and triphala for supporting liver function.
    Alongside these, practices such as mindful eating, seasonal detox routines, and
    yoga help sustain long‑term wellness.

    Experts say that 90% of liver disease is
    preventable through early screening and lifestyle changes. World Liver Day 2026
    is a grim reminder that liver, a silent yet vital organ, can regenerate if given
    the chance. With one in three Indians at risk, adopting “solid habits” is not
    just a theme—it is a national health imperative, a call for action for both
    policymakers and individuals to prioritise liver health.

    The ‘one in three’ statistic is a reminder
    to encourage proactive care. By combining Ayurveda’s holistic wisdom with
    modern medical insights, communities can obtain better liver health. The
    message is clear: prevention through awareness and balance is the most powerful
    medicine.

  • GANDHI AND HIS EXPERIMENTS WITH FOOD AND DIET

    It is remarkable that Mahatma Gandhi, who led millions during India’s freedom struggle, sustained himself largely on a simple diet of fruits, nuts, and coarse grains. Despite his frail appearance, he walked long distances daily and undertook prolonged fasts without lasting harm. From where did Gandhi derive such strength and stamina?

    In Key to Health, Gandhi wrote:

    “Whilst it is true that man cannot live without air and water, the thing that nourishes the body is food. Hence the saying, food is life.”

    Though he ate sparingly, Gandhi constantly experimented with his diet throughout his life. Historians have noted that his experiments with food were as rigorous as his experiments with truth and non-violence. Just as his politics were simple and direct, so too was his food—natural, elemental, and unprocessed. Food, he believed, should be taken “as a matter of duty—even as a medicine—to sustain the body, never for the satisfaction of the palate.”

    The Evolution of Diet of Gandhi

    Born into a traditional Gujarati vegetarian family, Gandhi briefly experimented with meat during his school years, influenced by a friend who claimed the British ruled India because they ate meat. He soon abandoned the idea. Before leaving for England in 1888 to study law, he vowed to his mother to abstain from meat and alcohol.

    Keeping this vow in England proved difficult. Vegetarian food was scarce, and Gandhi often went hungry until he discovered a vegetarian restaurant on Farringdon Street. Recalling the moment, he wrote:

    “The sight of it filled me with the same joy that a child feels on getting a thing after its own heart.”

    Vegetarianism was then a relatively new movement in England. Gandhi was deeply influenced by Henry Salt’s A Plea for Vegetarianism and later wrote that he became “a vegetarian by choice.” He joined the Vegetarian Society and actively participated in debates on diet and health, guided not by religion but by economy and hygiene.

    Experiments in South Africa

    Gandhi’s dietary experiments intensified in South Africa, where he arrived in 1893. That year he tested a raw-food diet consisting of soaked grains, fruits, nuts, and cocoa. After eleven days, he concluded that it “did not seem to agree well” and returned to cooked food, though raw food continued to interest him.

    In Durban, he simplified his lifestyle further, baking his own unleavened wholemeal bread from hand-ground flour to promote health, economy, and self-reliance. At Tolstoy Farm, he encouraged residents to grow their own food and eat fruits and vegetables, partly to reduce the burden of kitchen labour, especially on women.

    Return to India and Ethical Eating

    After returning to India, Gandhi lived for several years largely on fruits and nuts. In 1929, he undertook another raw-food experiment, observing:

    “Medically there may be two opinions as to the value of this diet, but morally I have no doubt that all self-denial is good for the soul.”

    During a visit to Haridwar, he vowed never to consume more than five food items a day and to finish his last meal before sunset. He later eliminated spices altogether, eating only boiled or raw food.

    Gandhi’s dietary choices were inseparable from his commitment to ahimsa. Vegetarianism, for him, was a moral and spiritual principle. He believed meat carried the defects of the animal from which it came and wrote:

    “Man’s supremacy over the lower animals meant not that the former should prey upon the latter, but that the higher should protect the lower.”

    He opposed milk on ethical grounds, arguing that humans were entitled only to their mother’s milk in infancy. However, during a serious illness, he reluctantly accepted goat’s milk on medical advice. On eggs, he felt that those who consumed milk should not object to sterile eggs.

    Fasting, Health, and Self-Restraint

    Gandhi avoided refined sugar, oils, and excess fats, favouring jaggery and small amounts of ghee. His regular diet consisted of fruits, raw vegetables, curd, coarse grains, millets, leafy greens, and unpolished rice.

    Fasting was central to his life, serving both moral discipline and preventive healthcare. He undertook at least seventeen fasts during the freedom struggle, the longest lasting twenty-one days. Diet and fasting were closely linked to brahmacharya, or self-restraint. “The diet of a man of self-restraint,” he said, “must be different from that of a man of pleasure.”

    Walking, Prevention, and Relevance Today

    Gandhi believed prevention was superior to cure. Though initially sceptical of modern medicine, he later acknowledged its value while continuing to trust naturopathy. Walking was his primary exercise; he walked nearly 18 kilometres daily for over four decades, covering an estimated 79,000 kilometres—almost twice around the Earth.

    In an age of lifestyle diseases, climate crisis, and pandemics, Gandhi’s ideas appear strikingly contemporary. As global institutions urge reduced meat and dairy consumption, his advocacy of simplicity, restraint, and plant-based diets seems prophetic. What Gandhi once called “experiments” were, in fact, part of a lifelong ethical and spiritual quest—one that continues to offer guidance in uncertain times.

    (Note; This article is based on an essay on the same subject published in the e-magazine Life Stream, Annual Issue- 2020)

  • Rising temperature likely to affect key aspects of childhood development

    A study reveals that increasing temperatures is likely to slow main aspects of childhood development. Already climate change has been affecting human health and ecosystems.

    The study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, reports that children who experienced unusually warm conditions, specifically average maximum temperatures above 86 °F (30 °C), were less likely to reach expected literacy and numeracy milestones when compared to children living in cooler environments.

    “While heat exposure has been lined to negative physical and mental health outcomes across the life course, this study provides a new insight that excessive heat negatively impacts young children’s development across diverse countries,” says lead author Jorge Cuartas, assistant professor of applied psychology at NYU Steinhardt. “Because early development lays the foundation for lifelong learning, physical and mental health, and overall well-being, these findings should alert researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to the urgent need to protect children’s development in a warming world.”

    Large International Dataset Reveals Clear Patterns

    On examination of information from 19,607 children between the ages of three and four from Gambia, Georgia, Madagascar, Malawi, Palestine, and Sierra Leone, Cuartas and his team explored the potential links between heat exposure and early development.

      These countries were chosen because they provide detailed data on child development, household living conditions, and climate, allowing researchers to estimate the amount of heat each child experienced. Children in economically disadvantaged households, homes with limited access to clean water, and densely populated urban areas showed the strongest impacts.

    The team used the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI), which tracks milestones in four areas: reading and number-related skills (literacy and numeracy), social-emotional development, approaches to learning, and physical development. The researchers combined ECDI information with 2017-2020 data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), which include demographic and well-being indicators such as education, health, nutrition, and sanitation and merged them with climate records. 

    Higher Temperatures Linked to Missed Milestones

    The researchers found that children who experienced average maximum temperatures above 86 °F (30 °C) were 5 to 6.7 percent less likely to meet basic literacy and numeracy benchmarks than children exposed to temperatures below 78.8 °F during the same season and in the same region. 

    “We urgently need more research to identify the mechanisms that explain these effects and the factors that either protect children or heighten their vulnerability. Such work will help pinpoint concrete targets for policies and interventions that strengthen preparedness, adaptation, and resilience as climate change intensifies,” says Cuartas.

  • Fitness Study: Only One in Three School children up to the Mark. Physical fitness need of the hour

    During Covid-19, children were forced to sit at home for online studies exposing them to increasing screen time; reduced physical activity owing to lack of access to safe play areas; and structured physical fitness regimen in schools. Obviously, their fitness level dropped and continues to do so even today.

    Studies reveal that only one in three children has the required stamina. The study was done across 333 schools in 112 cities evaluating over 1.4 lakh children.

    Fitness is yet to reach the pre-covid day standard. The other issues are aerobic fitness; poor cardiovascular endurance and weak muscle strength. Only 34% of children meet aerobic (cardiovascular) fitness benchmarks. Disparities were found based on location and administration of schools such as government-run; private; rural and urban; the causes being access to sports facilities, training, and awareness. 

    Lower body strength needs boosting specially in balance, mobility and overall toning. Proper diet is required for overall health. 

    Low aerobic fitness leads to poor heart health. Children may find endurance activities such as running, sports, or even sustained physical play difficult. Lack of exercises leads to childhood obesity, low energy, focus and mental fitness. 

    Physical Activities Need of the hour:

    Children should be encouraged at home and institutions to:

    • Exercise, initially for a short time and increase it to one hour gradually.
    • Set up structured sports and physical education classes in schools 
    • To organise outdoor games to discourage screen use 
    • Join children in endurance activities (running, cycling, swimming) 
    • Set up common and safe sports infrastructure across schools and residential areas
    • Have proper diet, nutritious food depending on the body constitution and requirements
    • Expose themselves to sunlight for vitamin D.