Why Indian Eat Food with Hands: Understanding the Cultural and Health Benefits 2023

Why Indian eat food with hands? Eating with hands is an age-old practice in India, which is rooted in the country’s rich culture and tradition.

While it may seem strange to many people around the world, there are several reasons why Indians prefer to eat food with their hands.

Why Indian Eat Food with Hands?

In this article, we will explore the cultural and health benefits of eating with hands and how it is a clean and hygienic habit.

By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of why Indians eat food with hands and the advantages it provides.

Cultural Significance of Eating with Hands

Eating with hands is an integral part of Indian culture and has been practiced for centuries.

In fact, it is considered to be an important aspect of Indian hospitality, and it is believed that guests should be served food in a way that enables them to eat with their hands comfortably.

This is because using cutlery or utensils can be seen as a barrier between the person and the food, whereas eating with hands is believed to create a more intimate and connected experience with the food.

According to Indian tradition, eating with hands is also believed to engage all the senses, including touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound.

When you use your hands to eat, you can feel the texture and temperature of the food, which enhances the overall dining experience.

In addition, the act of eating with hands is believed to bring people closer together and encourage a sense of community, which is a fundamental value in Indian culture.

Health Benefits of Eating with Hands

Apart from its cultural significance, eating with hands is also believed to have several health benefits. Here are some of the advantages of eating with hands:

1. Improves Digestion: When you eat with your hands, you are more likely to chew your food properly, which is essential for good digestion. In addition, the natural oils and juices in your hands can stimulate the digestive system and help break down the food more efficiently.
2. Better Blood Circulation: Using your hands to eat is believed to improve blood circulation, as the act of picking up and manipulating the food requires dexterity and fine motor skills. This, in turn, can lead to better blood flow to the fingers, hands, and arms.
3. Believed to Help Lose Weight: Eating with hands is believed to help you eat mindfully and pay attention to the quantity of food you consume. This can help you avoid overeating and promote healthy weight loss.
4. It is Natural: Eating with hands is a natural way of consuming food, as it is the way humans have been eating for thousands of years. It is only in recent times that utensils have been used to eat food, which is why using hands is believed to be a more natural and healthier way to eat.
5. Benefits Our Chakras: According to Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, eating with hands stimulates the five elements and the chakras in the body. The different fingers are believed to correspond to different chakras, and by eating with hands, you can balance the energy in your body.
6. Sensor for Temperature: Your hands can sense the temperature of the food and help you avoid burning your mouth. Additionally, the sensation of touch can help you better appreciate the temperature and texture of the food.
7. Food is Now Easier to Tear: Using your fingers to eat allows you to easily tear apart pieces of food and control the size of the bite. This can be particularly useful when eating foods like naan bread or dosa.
8. It’s a Clean and Hygienic Habit: Contrary to popular belief, eating with hands