The Jain Route to Better Health

The Jain Route to Better Health

Eight days in the holy month of Bhadwa (Bhadrapad), Jain followers all over the world fast and pray for forgiveness. This holy period — referred to as Paryushana — includes various methods of prayer in different postures while reading or listening to holy sermons. Many will be surprised to know that this age-old practice, which preaches non-violence, is deeply connected to health and fitness.

Eating Before Sunset

This Jain ritual ensures that followers have their last meal before sunset. As the day ends, our body’s metabolism slows down. Eating late means food is not efficiently used for energy — it gets converted to fat, resulting in weight gain. Modern nutrition experts consistently recommend early dinners for exactly the same reason.

Prayer in Yoga Postures

The ritualistic Jain forgiveness prayer in the evening — Pratikraman — is an hour-long procedure performed in different postures. This ensures that every follower incorporates movement into their daily routine, keeping the risk of excess fat storage at bay and maintaining flexibility.

Periodic Fasting

Jain followers avoid food and water for the last day of Paryushana and eat after sunrise the next day. Fasting helps the body burn stored glucose and then fat for energy, while also triggering a natural detoxification process.

“After a few days of fasting, higher levels of endorphins appear in the blood, making you more alert and giving an overall feeling of mental wellbeing.” — Dr Mahroof, Oxford

Say No to Root Vegetables

Vegetables grown underground — potatoes, onions, beetroots — are avoided in Jain practice. This translates practically to a lower-carbohydrate diet, cutting down on fried and processed products. The basic Jain diet consists of legumes and non-leafy vegetables — highly nutritious, homemade food.

Does It Work?

All religions come with a code of conduct that, at their core, promotes awareness and discipline. Jainism preaches humility, non-violence, and forgiveness — and its dietary practices promote health of mind, body, and spirit. The recent surge in wellness culture has led many experts to rediscover these ancient principles: good diet, regular movement, and meditation.

Written by Dr Pallavi Jain, Scientific Team, MapmyGenome. PhD in Molecular Medicine (UK).