I'm back!!! I had to take some time away from writing last year. However, I have returned to full speed. As we have entered this incredibly uncertain and intense start to the year, I thought to start with adding some light hearted reading but packed with some much needed information.
Let us begin!
In TCM, we emphasize on the importance of consuming warmer foods and foods that are cook in order to increase or maintain the body's energy and overall bodily functions. When Acupuncturists mention warmer foods, we generally mean foods that are throughouly cooked, brothy foods, even beverages that are warm.
The energetic temperature a food contains when digested is also considered when discussing warmer foods. Cold foods would consist of raw foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, iced drinks, and anything that has a cooler energy when consumed, which can add to a sluggish digestion. The energy with what is known as your digestive fire in TCM, becomes shocked when the cold hits. This then limits the movement and function of the digestive tract in how it processes food efficiently. So if you prefer ice water or cold beverages, salads or eat a lot of raw fruits and vegetables, it might be the time to make a transition to warmer drinks and food to ensure you have better movement with digestion.
How does this all affect us? Let's take a deeper look.
1) Improved Digestion
As mentioned above, the digestive fire prefers warmth in order to keep things moving correctly. This is no different than how we move in cold weather versus warmer weather. We are able to bounce around freely and really get in movemen during warmer temperatures. Where as with colder weather we tend to stiffen up, move slowly, and at times feel stuck. Same thing can happen in the digestive department creating a number of issues. Some being bloating, fatigue after eating, constipation, and diarrhea. These are common symptoms many people experience which is due to a weak digestive fire that isn't doing it's job properly. So by adding more warmer foods, you allow things to move in the direction they should.
2) Better Absorption
The temperature of food matters for a number of reasons. One being the way a food is cooked makes a difference in how we digest our food but also how the nutrients are absorped and dispersed throughout the body. Cooking food actually breaks down the nutrients in the food and allows the food to be more easily digested. This allows the digestive tract to work less, conserving more energy for down the road with other functions that are needed. This also explains why we feel tired after eating when consuming colder foods. The digestive process has work that much harder to warm up the food then start the breakdown which takes more effort and energy.
2) Promote Blood Circulation
The warmth from food aids digestion which in turn helps to move the flow of Blood. The circulation of Blood nourishes other areas within the body. Some of the symptoms of poor blood circulation could be aches and pains in joints or muscles, painful periods, depression and anxiety.
3) Improve Qi
As with the circulation of Blood, promoting the circulation and increasing of Qi is also a benefit from consuming warmer foods. As mentioned above, the body is able to conserve more energy for other functions but when it is easy to breakdown, assimilation is also improved. Which means we are able to absorb and use the nutrients that are extracted for energy or Qi.
4) Energetically Grounds
Food is medicine but not just in the physical sense. It can be used as a grounding tool as well. When food is warm, it is nourishing but also helps to root us to the energy around us and within us. Grounding means you are able to be more present in the moment with clarity and be more connected to other energies. When this happens, we have less brain fog, better thinking capacity, able to sleep better, and our moods improve as well.
Warmer foods aren't just to keep the digestion going...its to keep the movement of our energy flowing, to ensure we are absorbing and nourishing important parts, and keep us spiritually aligned.
Food is definietly medicine...even more so with a comforting touch along with it!
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