spices

Food flavors have a connection to the organs of the body. There are 5 different flavors to include: sweet, salty, sour, pungent and bitter. Each flavor type is tied to the functions of the body.

Sweet foods affect the stomach and nourish the body and intestines providing energy and tension relief. Sweet foods include honey, dates, sweet potatoes, potato, carrot, pumpkin, corn, peanut, milk, apples, cherry, grapes, rice, wheat, and soybeans. An excess of sweet foods can weaken the kidneys and lead to bone and teeth disorders and obesity.

Salty foods affect the kidney and bladder by nourishing the blood and inducing bowel movements. Salty foods include barley, seaweed, kelp, crabs, oyster, clams, and shrimp. An excessive amount of salty foods can negatively affect the blood.

Sour foods affect the liver and gall bladder providing aid in digestion. These foods reduce abnormal discharge from the body such as diarrhea, vomiting and sweating. Sour foods include lemon, pineapple, apple, papaya, strawberry, pear, orange, tangerine, mango, peach, olives, vinegar, and plums.

Pungent (spicy) foods affect the lung and large intestine promoting energy, blood circulation and appetite. Foods include ginger, cayenne, onion, peppercorn, chives, spearmint, chili pepper, sweet pepper, cinnamon, and wine. An excess of spicy foods is bad for the lower end…if you know what I mean.

Bitter foods affect the heart and small intestine reducing infection and inflammation, promote urination and cool the heart (think calm and stress relief). Foods include wine, vinegar, turnips, gingko, asparagus, seaweed, and coffee. An excess of bitter foods can cause dehydration, diarrhea, bone damage and heartburn/influx.

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Christina Hayes
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