Learn the importance of fiber in a yogic diet and how it keeps the body healthy.
For many people who think yoga is all about asanas and meditation; here is a revelation. A large part of yoga is based on the kind of food one fuels the body with. Why is food important, you ask?
Well food is one of the first pillars of self discipline. If one can discipline and keep a control on the kind of food that goes within, one is capable of moving ahead with the other forms of self-discipline, and self-control to lead a wholesome and a satisfactory lifestyle.
The benefits of yoga are plenty and people who are introduced to the benefits of this beautiful practice have at least once thought of sharing this amazing practice with the people around them. To share the benefits comes with receiving them in the first place. As yoga originated in India, one will find plenty of yoga institutions that teach yoga teachers the correct way to perform yoga. Yoga enthusiasts have flocked in large numbers by the years, to receive yoga teacher training in India.
Rishikesh which is the yoga capital of the world is where a lot of yoga retreats take place. You may take the quintessential 200 hours yoga teacher training in Rishikesh; in order to become a certified yoga teacher.
In this yoga training camp, one can expect to receive an all encompassed knowledge of how to live an honest yogi’s life. The training would include not just correction of asanas and meditation sessions, but also will introduce you to a yogi’s fuel (food).
A yogic food includes all greens, vegetarian food cooked in elaborate processes and balanced in the right proportion to enhance the energies that food generally produces. A rich source of fiber is quintessential in a yogi’s diet and is strictly emphasised. But why is fiber so important?
- Fiber gives a good amount of exercise to your digestive tracks:
A fibrous diet helps to keep the food in the tract in a moving motion. The digestive tract does not get any sort of exercise if the food that is consumed is easily digestible and emulsified by the acid in the stomach. The fiber in a diet is not so easy to emulsify and creates an avenue for the acid to take time to work properly. The right amount of fiber helps prevent constipation and ensures bulk in the stool.
- Fiber is known to lower cholesterol levels and which helps prevent cardiovascular diseases:
According to a study by the American Heart Association, including a whole-grain dietary fiber in your diet helps lower risks of heart diseases, obesity, heart stokes and type-2 diabetes. A good source of fiber comes from consuming foods such as flaxseeds, legumes, oats and oat bran. These foods contain soluble fiber which is instrumental in lowering levels of LDL cholesterol. The fiber acts as a sponge to this form of cholesterol and hence does not let the body absorb it.
- Fiber also soaks the toxins that could mix with the blood and cause skin problems:
Fiber rich fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, oranges with their threads on, artichokes, and pears are a rich source of anti-oxidants and also soak the toxins in the food that may give birth to skin problems. Once the toxins are removed, Acne and pimples vanish with time and the antioxidants leave your skin in a glow.
- Inflammation is reduced:
A protein called the C – reactive protein, which is known to cause acute inflammation, is greatly reduced. Fiber naturally forms a protective layer against the CRP in the blood stream. Roughage plays a very supportive role in the gut health; it is a pre-biotic and pre-biotic are known to battle inflammation, and lower the overall risks of diseases.
- Fibers help maintain a steadier level of blood sugar:
With refined carbohydrates in your system it is likely that the blood sugar levels rise and fall even with the slightest triggers. Fibers take longer to consume and digest which prevents the rise and fall of blood sugar levels too dramatically. So, what fiber does is it makes the process of blood sugar spikes go in slow motion.
Fiber is an essential addition to the diet because it keeps so many risky disease causing triggers in check. That is one reason why fiber is such an essential part of a Yogi’s diet.
