Role of Tikta Rasa in the sustained intervention of Lifestyle Disorders - A Review article

The WHO classifies Lifestyle Disorders as Non-communicable diseases which include Diabetes mellitus, Obesity, Cardiovascular disease, Hypertension, Alzheimer's and Cancer. 74% of fatalities worldwide are attributed to NCDs each year. In Charak Samhita Sutrasthan Chapter 25, described Agrya Dravyas in which the usage of Ek Rasa Abyasa is deemed Daurbalyakar. This means consumption of one particular taste/food group has been responsible to create laxness in the body. The exponential rise in NCDs might be due to overconsumption of Ek Rasa (eg: Madhur Rasa i.e., Guru Bhojhana), Agni Mandya, Sedentary lifestyle, Smoking, Alcohol consumption. They’re called Santarpanjanya disorders in Ayurveda. These disorders have presence of Ama as a contributing factor, which makes the etiology difficult to cure. Tikta Rasa is one such Rasa out of 6 essential Rasas which has the potential to manage lifestyle disorders both on the level of Curative as its a Apatarpanjanya Rasa, by doing Deepana of Agni, Pachana of Ama in the minute Srotases. Preventive by using its beneficial phytonutrients and antioxidant property by including in our Aahar and Dinacharya. This study shows various Tikta Rasa Aahar Varga like Kushmandi, Alabu, Patola, Kunduru, Koshataki, Bimbi, Chichind etc. They’re a potent source of phytonutrients like Vit A, Vit C, Vit B complex and phytochemicals like flavonoids, tannins, saponins which prevent right from Diabetes, Dyslipdemias, Metabolic syndromes upto Cancer. A NCD epidemic is approaching and inevitable hence there’s a need for a sustained intervention to manage these in the long term. The main objective of this study is to bring awareness and inculcate ways in which we can include this most beneficial nutrition quotient back in our diet and lifestyle.