Immunity and Seasons

Today, while we are battling a pandemic, doctors and nutritionists worldwide strongly recommend consuming a diet that can boost our immunity.

Generally, we tend to ignore this and do not stick to appropriate dietary patterns. It weakens our body’s defence mechanism, thereby leading to multiple health problems such as indigestion, respiratory issues, stomach infections, hair and skin problems, and undesired weight gain.

Therefore, consuming the right nutrients in sufficient quantities is the key to excellent immunity and health.

Does your immunity change with seasons?

With each season, the environment around us also changes. These changes can strongly influence our health, specifically our immunity. We get exposed to numerous potentially harmful bacteria and viruses, which can cause infections and diseases. The inclusion of seasonal foods according to the seasons can help you enjoy the benefits of immunity.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, our body is a blend of certain energies or doshas—Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (water and earth). The changing seasons either aggravate or pacify these doshas in you in the following ways:

• Summer

1. Vata : During summer, exposure to extreme heat can lead to dry environmental conditions. You can suffer from dry cough and itchy skin problems like eczema.
2. Pitta : Pitta is fire, and hence the season with high heat levels can be harmful. Conditions such as heartburn, high blood pressure, skin rashes, and fever are common. You may also go through temperamental changes like getting angry or irritated easily.
3. Kapha : The summer season can be quite comforting if you have Kapha dosha since Kapha is water. You feel more energetic and are in good health mostly.

• Winter

1. Vata : If you have Vata dosha, you may feel uncomfortable during this season as vatas are predominantly cold. Keep warm, get enough sleep, and include earthy edibles in your diet.
2. Pitta : This type prefers cool weather conditions; hence winter is a preferable time for them. However, it is important to keep your body temperature stable and normal to prevent any harm to the internal organs. You must be extra careful if you live in cold climatic conditions.
3. Kapha : If you are a Kapha, you are prone to get cold and cough. Staying warm is crucial to protect yourself from winter-related health problems.

• Autumn

1. Vata : Since Vata dosha is dominated by air, the dry and cold autumn air can be discomforting.
2. Pitta : Autumn is a comparatively good time for pitta dosha as the cool autumn air provides a calming effect on your body and mind.
3. Kapha : Since autumn has a cooling effect, people with this dosha can stay comfortable. It is because Kapha dosha is naturally damp and cool.

• Spring

1. Vata : This season symbolises growth, life, movement, and change. A vata might not be able to find the right balance and feel exhausted and low in energy.
2. Pitta : Pittas are most comfortable at the start of spring; however, problems may arise as summer nears. It might aggravate the pitta fire, thereby resulting in health issues .
3. Kapha : Kaphas accumulate cold during winter. However, the warmth of spring can make them feel congested. It can trigger colds, hay fever, etc.

What diet plan does Ayurveda suggest?

Ayurveda and wellness go hand in hand. Ayurvedic experts emphasise the importance of a balanced diet that includes seasonal foods, which is referred to as ritucharya.

An ideal diet according to seasons can be:

The Bottom Line

If your diet is not in sync with season and environment, it is highly likely to compromise your immunity leading to a spectrum of health issues. To enjoy the immeasurable benefits of immunity power, you must help your body adapt to the changing environment.