ENLIGHTENING CONCEPT OF FUNCTIONAL FOOD IN AYURVEDA

Abstract

Background: This article is about to explore functional food in Ayurveda. Food is a source of basic nutrition and energy. Functional food provides health benefits beyond it. It benefits the body by targeting one or more functions by enhancing physiological response and/or reducing the risk of diseases. Functional food can be conventional or modified. Ayurveda believes that food is a basic necessity for life, but beyond it is responsible for complexion, strength, intelligence, contentment of mind and soothing senses. Aim: to study functional food in Ayurveda with special reference to Charak Samhita Material and Methods: For understanding concept of functional food, scientific journals, articles and books were reviewed. Mainly Charak samhita sutrasthan was reviewed for Ayurvedic correlation. . Conclusion: Around 12 categories of foods and their functions are mentioned .According to Ayurveda, most of the foods that we consume daily are functional. It has health promotive, preventive or curative actions beyond basic nutrition.