Psycho-somatic outlook of tastes in weight loss and health promotion

Consumption and preference of food is closely linked to the perception of taste, and for most individuals, taste is the driving force behind their way of eating. Preference is an outcome of the hedonic value of a particular taste and the immediate psycho-somatic state. In Ayurveda sense taste has a balancing effect on physical constituents of the body as well as Mind. Although satisfaction and fullness is mediated in the hypothalamus through feedback from blood sugars and volume in the stomach; the feed back begins in the mouth with tastes. A sense satisfaction when eating is a psycho-somatic process and felt satisfaction eliminates cravings and a felt need for more taste. When the biochemical addictions and the psychological needs are ameliorated through the tastes in the mouth, then the behaviors like binge eating need be addressed. The concept of RASA (Tastes) has significant use in Ayurvedic dietetics and therapeutics. Learning about RASA (Tastes), the dieters imagination can be captured in the way that tastes can influence satiation, satisfaction and sense of well being. In the current paper, a conceptual understanding of the six tastes, and their bio-physical and psychological effects have been elaborated. Understanding the concepts and application of tastes according to Ayurveda, promises a new approach to address and prevent Obesity.