Six Tastes-Why is it that we reach for certain foods

We all grab for certain foods when we feel hungry. Have you ever thought about why we choose certain foods over others?  One of the reasons is due to the taste.  There are 6 different tastes that the tongue can distinguish between.  They are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent.   These six tastes according to Ayurveda are a combination of the 5 elements in nature just as the body is made of these 5 elements as well.  Our bodies naturally try to balance any imbalances occurring in the body through these tastes. For example if someone is suffering from a vata disorder such as insomnia or anxiety they might naturally go for sweet or salty foods to balance the vata dosha. This is because the sweet taste is a combination of earth and water elements which is grounding for air and ether predominant concerns. 

Let’s take another example.

When we talk of pungency we are referring to spicy.  For example-garlic, ginger, onions, chili pepper.  These foods have the quality of being heating.  Due to its heating nature a pitta individual would want to avoid these foods whereas a kapha person would benefit greatly.  Someone with obesity or mucous congestion would benefit because pungent foods are invigorating and help to flush out the tissues whereas someone with an ulcer or any other pitta condition would be aggravated by these foods. 

In this way it can be interesting to assess the diet and discover the imbalances that are created. The most important thing to keep in mind is that all 6 tastes at each meal can be very balancing and leave one feeling very satisfied.