YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.

M04 Life energy

You are what you eat! What influence our diet
on mobility and energy level and what you
you can learn from Aryuveda. Exclusive:
Detailed list of foods in the “Energy
Check” and matching recipes.

As you know if you read our newsletter or browse our magazine, we are particularly interested in the topic of nutrition - it is the fuel that determines the condition of your body. We firmly believe that with the right diet alone, you have the greatest leverage for a long, healthy and pain-free life.

Today we're looking at a particularly exciting aspect, namely energy. After all, food is just that - energy. But there are huge differences in the energy value of a food, especially when you look at how long your body benefits from it. In order to explain this to you as clearly and comprehensively as possible, we have looked at two topics in more detail: Ayurvedic nutrition and the glycemic index.

Energy through food – conventional medicine versus Ayurveda

The traditional Ayurvedic approach helps us maintain balance in our bodies, while the GI shows us how different foods affect our blood sugar levels. Both approaches can help you improve your mobility and energy levels.

The Glycemic Index: Decisive for energy and life expectancy

The Glycemic Index (GI) is a measure of how quickly carbohydrates in a food raise blood sugar levels. A high GI results in rapid spikes and drops in blood sugar, which can lead to cravings and lack of energy. A low GI provides a steady release of energy and helps keep blood sugar levels stable. Here are some key points:

• High GI (>70): Foods such as white bread and sugar cause rapid blood sugar spikes.
• Medium GI (56-69): Foods such as basmati rice and corn have a moderate effect on blood sugar levels.
• Low GI (<55): Foods such as whole grains and legumes provide a slow and steady release of energy.

A 2015 study by the Harvard School of Public Health shows that a low glycemic index diet can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 35% (study period: 12 years, 27,000 participants). Another study by the University of Sydney in 2016 found that people who regularly consume foods with a low GI are significantly less susceptible to cardiovascular disease (study period: 10 years, 14,000 participants).

Ayurveda and the Doshas: Your key to more energy

Ayurveda divides people into three basic constitutions: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each person has a unique combination of these doshas that influence their body structure, personality and health vulnerabilities. Here is an overview:

1. Vata (air and ether): Vata types are usually slim and energetic, but can easily become unbalanced. They tend to have dry skin and nervousness. Vata needs warm, nourishing and moisturizing foods.
2. Pitta (Fire and Water): Pitta types are often muscular and dynamic, but they can easily become irritated and overheated. They are prone to inflammation and skin problems. Pitta needs cooling and refreshing foods.
3. Kapha (Earth and Water): Kapha types are often powerfully built and have stable energy, but can tend to be lethargic and overweight. They often have slow digestion and are prone to mucus buildup. Kapha benefits from light, dry and stimulating foods.

In Ayurveda, foods are classified based on their various properties and effects to better understand their impact on the body and doshas. These classifications include taste (rasa), properties (guna), energy (virya) and specific effect (prabhava). Each of these categories provides valuable information to help choose the right diet for each dosha type.

Taste (Rasa):

• The taste of a food influences its effect on the doshas and health.
• There are six flavors: sweet, sour, salty, spicy, bitter and tart.
• For example, sweet taste calms Vata and Pitta, while spicy taste reduces Kapha.

Characteristics (Guna):

• The physical and energetic properties of a food describe how it affects the body.
• Properties such as heavy or light, dry or oily, and cold or hot are important here.
• Heavy and oily foods can increase Kapha, while light and dry foods can reduce Kapha.

Energy (Virya):

• Virya refers to the thermic effect of a food, i.e. whether it has a cooling (Shita) or a heating (Ushna) effect.
• This property determines whether a food lowers or increases body temperature.
• Cooling foods calm Pitta, while heating foods can balance Vata and Kapha.

• Prabhava describes the unique effect of a food that cannot be explained by taste, properties or energy.
• These special effects are often individual and can have special healing effects.
• For example, saffron has a specific effect on the skin and mood that goes beyond the usual classifications.

We have put together a list of foods that are particularly suitable for the different types – you can also see their GI for each one.

Carsten (me): Pitta type with restless legs

During my research into nutrition and Ayurveda, I couldn't resist drawing up my own personal nutrition plan. In my own opinion, I would definitely describe myself as a Pitta type, i.e. energetic and crazy (see picture), but also easily irritated and overheated. Added to that are restless legs, which are of course particularly bad on warm nights. As a result, my diet focuses on cooling down. I also need a lot of magnesium and omega-3 for my nerves and I want to consume enough protein, as I do a lot of sport. Here you can see my personal nutrition plan: