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<big>'''Abstract'''</big>

<big>'''Abstract'''</big>

<div style="text-align:justify;">Since food is considered as the source of life as well as cause of diseases, this chapter is dedicated to a discussion on various dietary preparations, including post-prandial drinks, their properties and  beneficial effects on the body. The edibles and beverages have been classified into twelve categories by type: cereals, pulses, meat, green vegetables, fruits, green herbs, alcoholic beverages, water, milk and milk products, sweet products including honey, prepared items, and ahara upayogi (useful foods).  The description also includes use of diet in specific disease conditions indicating it therapeutic use. The chapter encompasses various principles of digestion of food and beverages according to its habitat, age, part used, processing method, its mixture. Agni (digestive capacity) of an individual is important for processing the food properly and achieving the desirable effects. </div>

<div style="text-align:justify;">Since food is considered as the source of life as well as cause of diseases, this chapter is dedicated to a discussion on various dietary preparations, including post-prandial drinks, their properties and  beneficial effects on the body. The edibles and beverages have been classified into twelve categories by type: cereals, pulses, meat, green vegetables, fruits, green herbs, alcoholic beverages, water, milk and milk products, sweet products including honey, prepared items, and ahara upayogi (useful foods).  The description also includes use of diet in specific disease conditions indicating its therapeutic use. The chapter encompasses various principles of digestion of food and beverages according to habitat, age, part used, processing method, its mixture. Agni (digestive capacity) of an individual is important for processing the food properly and achieving the desirable effects. </div>

'''Keywords''': ''Annapana'', dietetics, classification of dietary articles, ''anupana'', beverages, cereals, corns, vegetables, fruits, green herbs, sugar and sugar products, wines, meat, milk and milk products, water, cooked food.

'''Keywords''': ''Annapana'', dietetics, classification of dietary articles, ''anupana'', beverages, cereals, corns, vegetables, fruits, green herbs, sugar and sugar products, wines, meat, milk and milk products, water, cooked food.

Thus, in the Section on General Principles in the treatise compiled by Agnivesha and revised by Charak, the twenty-seventh chapter entitled ‘The Regimen of food and beverages” stands completed.

Thus, in the Section on General Principles in the treatise compiled by Agnivesha and revised by Charak, the twenty-seventh chapter entitled ‘The Regimen of food and beverages” stands completed.

===''Tattva Vimarsha'' ===

===''Tattva Vimarsha'' /Fundamental Principles ===

#Extrinsic charactgeristics, intrinsic qualities, modes of preparation, texture, and taste of a food article are important attributes for it to be suitable for human consumption

#Extrinsic characteristics, intrinsic qualities, modes of preparation, texture, and taste of a food article are important attributes for it to be suitable for human consumption

#All food items have natural qualities – beneficial and harmful - that need to be weighed in before recommended for consumption.

#All food items have natural qualities – beneficial and harmful - that need to be weighed in before recommended for consumption.

#There are twelve categories of food described in detail in this chapter that need to be studied before prescribing to a patient.

#There are twelve categories of food described in detail in this chapter that need to be studied before prescribing to a patient.

#Aged cereals and pulses (about a year old) are recommended for consumption. The old grain is generally dry and light and the new generally heavy.

#Aged cereals and pulses (about a year old) are recommended for consumption. The old grain is generally dry and light and the new generally heavy.

#Grains that get cooked quicker are considered lighter to digest than the others. The decorticated and slightly roasted pulse is digested easily.

#Grains that get cooked quicker are considered lighter to digest than the others. The decorticated and slightly roasted pulse is digested easily.

#The drink which is opposite in quality to that of the food taken is the proper corrigent (agent that neutralizes the undesirable-effects of a particular medication or diet). Whatever drink is not deleterious to ''doshas'' and ''dhatus'' is to be considered the right post-prandial drink.  

#The drink which is opposite in quality to that of the food taken is the proper corrigent (a substance added to a medicine to modify its action or counteract a disagreeable effect). Whatever drink is not deleterious to ''doshas'' and ''dhatus'' is to be considered the right post-prandial drink.  

#One should take as his post-prandial drink that which is wholesome and fit to consume based on its thorough examination.  

#One should take as his post-prandial drink that which is wholesome and fit to consume based on its thorough examination.  

#Unctuous and hot drinks in conditions of ''vata'', sweet and cooling ones in those of ''pitta'', dry and hot ones in k''apha'', and meat juices in wasting are considered to be the best.  

#Unctuous and hot drinks in conditions of ''vata'', sweet and cooling ones in those of ''pitta'', dry and hot ones in ''kapha'', and meat juices in wasting are considered to be the best.  

#The digestion depends upon inherent property of the food article as well as its interaction with the ''agni'' (body’s digestive capacity).

#The digestion depends upon inherent property of the food article as well as its interaction with the ''agni'' (body’s digestive capacity).

#Qualities and effects of food are altered after processing, its vehicle and interaction with body.   

#Qualities and effects of food are altered after processing, its vehicle and interaction with body.   

===''Vidhi Vimarsha'' ===

===''Vidhi Vimarsha'' / Applied Inferences ===

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<div style="text-align:justify;">

For over 4000 years, the [[Charak Samhita]] and its predecessor, the Agnivesha Tantra have provided a wealth of knowledge on managing life, not just health and disease management. Sages and practitioners passed on this distilled knowledge by word-to-mouth for centuries. Over the course of this period, the environment around us has changed significantly – affecting us and the living beings around us. Habitats have changed rendering some creatures extinct or endangered, while others have adapted themselves or evolved. Further, social traditions have dictated changes to our dietary habits. However, the fundamental principles governing food, in general, remain the same, e.g., the role of ''agni'' (digestive fire), ''Prakriti'' (body constitution), ''rasa, guna, veerya, vipaka'' and ''prabhava'' (characteristics) of various foods. These fundamental principles can be applied today for healthy living. Newer articles of food like dhanya (paddy), shaka (vegetables), harita (greens), mamsa (meat), phala (fruits) and kritanna (cooked food or drinks) can be characterized and used by an experienced Ayurvedic physician. It is a herculean job to describe all the foods available all over the world and describe their ''rasa, guna, veerya, vipaka'' and ''prabhava'' (characteristics) but we have made a humble attempt to take the skeleton of the Chapter [[Annapanavidhi Adhyaya]] as it is and try to enter the newer articles as per Ayurvedic perspective.

For over 4000 years, the [[Charak Samhita]] and its predecessor, the Agnivesha Tantra have provided a wealth of knowledge on managing life, not just health and disease management. Sages and practitioners passed on this distilled knowledge by word-to-mouth for centuries. Over the course of this period, the environment around us has changed significantly – affecting us and the living beings around us. Habitats have changed rendering some creatures extinct or endangered, while others have adapted themselves or evolved. Further, social traditions have dictated changes to our dietary habits. However, the fundamental principles governing food, in general, remain the same, e.g., the role of ''agni'' (digestive fire), ''Prakriti'' (body constitution), ''rasa, guna, veerya, vipaka'' and ''prabhava'' (characteristics) of various foods. These fundamental principles can be applied today for healthy living. Newer articles of food like dhanya (paddy), shaka (vegetables), harita (greens), mamsa (meat), phala (fruits) and kritanna (cooked food or drinks) can be characterized and used by an experienced Ayurvedic physician. It is a herculean job to describe all the foods available all over the world and describe their ''rasa, guna, veerya, vipaka'' and ''prabhava'' (characteristics) but we have made a humble attempt to take the skeleton of the Chapter [[Annapanavidhi Adhyaya]] as it is and try to enter the newer articles as per Ayurvedic perspective.