Ahara or food is one of the 3 supporting pillars to sustain life. Ahara has been included as one of the Traya Upastambha (3 supporting pillars), the other two being Nidra (sleep) and Brahmacharya (celibacy).

As Ayurveda rightly says “Aarogyam bhojanadhinam” means health depends on the food one consumes. An understanding of food and the factors that influence the nutrition it provides us is important to make correct food choices. These 8 factors as described by Charaka are the basic rules for understanding Ayurvedic nutrition, called Ashta Ahara Vidhi Vishesha Ayatana.