Exploring the Synergy of Ayurveda and Modern Nutrition: CCRAS Unveils Special Edition on Ayurveda Aahara
Today, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) released a special issue of its research journal, Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (JDRAS), highlighting the emerging field of Ayurveda Aahara—a sector aiming to align Ayurvedic dietary practices with modern scientific understanding. The issue was unveiled by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, alongside Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS, and several other officials and researchers. This edition represents a significant milestone in the Ministry of Ayush's initiative to bring scientific insight to Ayurveda-based dietary traditions, helping adapt them for contemporary health needs.
Addressing today’s food-related challenges requires innovative, science-backed solutions rooted in tradition
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha
Vaidya Kotecha remarked on the potential of Ayurveda Aahara to address contemporary dietary challenges with solutions grounded in traditional knowledge. According to him, the integration of Ayurveda's dietary principles with scientific research offers valuable preventive health insights, making traditional knowledge more accessible and relevant for the modern era. He said, "Addressing today’s food-related challenges requires innovative, science-backed solutions rooted in tradition. Our research on Ayurveda Aahara offers valuable insights for preventive health, linking ancient dietary wisdom with modern science to foster sustainable and nutritious practices for contemporary society."
In line with India's long-standing Ayurvedic traditions, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) introduced the Food Safety and Standards (Ayurveda Aahara) Regulations in 2022, marking a formal recognition of Ayurvedic dietary practices. Officially notified on May 5, 2022, these regulations specify that Ayurveda Aahara refers to food items prepared according to recipes, ingredients, or processes outlined in authoritative Ayurvedic texts. This regulatory framework aims to safeguard the identity and integrity of Ayurveda-based dietary practices, preserving the authenticity of traditional food preparation methods. To further this cause, FSSAI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, launched a dedicated Ayurveda Aahara logo on June 7, 2022, signifying foods made in accordance with these guidelines.
As a premier institution in Ayurvedic research, CCRAS has been instrumental in advancing Ayurveda Aahara through various scientific projects. The special JDRAS edition showcases research focused on Ayurveda’s holistic dietary principles and highlights CCRAS’s efforts to bridge traditional dietary wisdom with contemporary food science. CCRAS's research initiatives include documenting traditional food recipes, studying the health effects of specific medicinal plants used in ethnic diets, and standardizing recipes to create protocols aligned with modern dietary practices.
Our research on Ayurveda Aahara has gained international recognition, highlighting the value of Ayurveda’s dietary practices in modern food science
Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya
Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS, commented on the significance of these initiatives, saying, "Our research on Ayurveda Aahara has gained international recognition, highlighting the value of Ayurveda’s dietary practices in modern food science. With FSSAI now recognising Ayurveda Aahara, CCRAS is at the forefront, aligning traditional wisdom with global health priorities to offer sustainable, science-backed nutritional solutions for today’s challenges."
Through detailed research studies, CCRAS is working to establish a link between traditional Ayurvedic dietary knowledge and modern public health needs. Survey studies across various regions have documented ancestral dietary practices and recipes passed down through generations. Scientific validation efforts are underway to analyze the nutritional and therapeutic properties of these foods. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Ayurveda-based recipes are also being developed to ensure consistent quality and safety in their preparation. These initiatives collectively contribute to evidence-based dietary guidelines, allowing Ayurveda Aahara to be appreciated and adopted worldwide.
In Ayurveda, food is understood as a cornerstone of health and wellness. This approach to nutrition has long helped communities make healthy dietary choices. With support from the Ministry of Ayush and FSSAI’s regulatory framework, CCRAS’s work on Ayurveda Aahara continues to provide relevant solutions for modern public health needs. Through a combination of scientific validation and regulatory support, CCRAS is helping to incorporate Ayurveda Aahara into mainstream dietary practices, enabling individuals to make more informed, health-promoting choices.
The special issue of JDRAS highlights CCRAS's dedication to further exploring and validating Ayurveda's dietary heritage. By incorporating scientific research into Ayurvedic nutrition principles, this edition provides a comprehensive view of how Ayurveda’s dietary insights can enhance modern health practices. CCRAS’s ongoing research aims to sustain Ayurveda Aahara’s relevance in today’s fast-evolving dietary landscape, bridging the divide between age-old wisdom and contemporary scientific rigor.
As CCRAS forges ahead, its work reinforces the value of Ayurveda’s dietary heritage, enriching the understanding of food’s role in health and helping integrate Ayurvedic nutrition into global dietary standards. With projects centered on the validation of recipes and ingredients, CCRAS is paving the way for Ayurveda Aahara to become part of informed, science-based dietary practices that cater to current health challenges.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)
