Ancient Indian wisdom revered the Panchamahabhutas—the five foundational elements: soil, water, air, energy, and space. These elements are not only the building blocks of nature but also of human health. Modern research confirms that disruptions to these elements—particularly soil and water—affect human well-being, notably through the gut microbiome. This aligns with Elisabet Sahtouris, a renowned evolutionary biologist, who highlights the crucial role of microbes in shaping Earth’s biosphere. Both ancient Indian wisdom and Sahtouris emphasize the interconnectedness of life, with the Krimi (microorganisms) recognized in the Vedas and Ayurveda as vital to health, soil fertility, and balance. The gut, often called the “second brain,” is deeply connected to overall health through the vagus nerve, which links the digestive system to the brain and plays a vital role in regulating inflammation, immunity, and even mental health. This essay explores the relationship between soil health, the gut microbiome, and sustainability, showing how India’s traditional agricultural and dietary practices align with the latest insights in microbial research.
Gut Microbes and Human Health: The Forgotten Brain in Our Belly
The American Gut Project, launched in 2012, has highlighted the profound impact of diet, lifestyle, and environment on gut microbial diversity. A diet rich in diverse, plant-based foods—ideally over 30 varieties per week—supports a healthy microbiome, improving digestion, immunity, and even mental well-being. This aligns with traditional Indian dietary wisdom, which emphasizes plant diversity, fermented foods, and seasonal eating. Both modern science and Vedic wisdom suggest that human digestive anatomy more closely resembles that of herbivores, as seen in features like tooth and jaw structure, the length of the intestinal tract, stomach acid pH, and other physiological traits.
Emerging research shows that the gut microbiome influences brain function through the gut-brain axis, with the vagus nerve serving as a key communication channel. A well-balanced microbiome can enhance cognitive function, reduce stress, and prevent neurodegenerative diseases, reinforcing the importance of dietary choices.
Ayurvedic practices such as Panchakarma—a detoxification regimen—support gut health by eliminating toxins and restoring microbial balance. Dr. Chiti Parikh’s 28-day vitality program, inspired by Ayurvedic principles, demonstrates how fasting and dietary changes can rejuvenate gut health, strengthen the vagus nerve, and improve resilience to stress. Interestingly, numerous studies in nutritional and cancer research, reveal a diet low in fiber and high in red and processed meats is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing colon polyps, particularly adenomatous polyps, which have the potential to become cancerous.
See more on the gut-brain connection and American Gut Project:
https://today.ucsd.edu/story/whats-in-your-gut
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection
Soil Health and the Human Microbiome: An Interconnected System
Soil is the Earth’s microbiome, just as the gut is the body’s microbiome. Traditional Indian agricultural practices, such as Jeeva Amruth and Panchagavya, enhance soil microbial life, creating healthier crops that, in turn, support gut microbial diversity. Jeeva Amruth, a fermented mix of cow dung, urine, jaggery, and pulse flour, replenishes soil microbes, while Panchagavya—a blend of cow-based products, honey, and bananas—nourishes plants naturally.
However, modern agriculture has disrupted this balance. Chemical fertilizers degrade soil microbes, reducing plant nutrient content and, ultimately, impacting gut health. A global study conducted by an international team, including researchers from the Uk Center for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) and the University of Sussex, analyzed over 1,700 lab and field studies on 471 pesticide types. The findings reveal wide-ranging negative effects on more than 800 species, impacting their growth, reproduction, behavior, metabolism, and even survival. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of pesticide impacts across the natural world.
More on the topic:
According to NITI Aayog, 30% of India’s agricultural land is degraded, yet organic fertilizers are used on only 5% of farms. Government initiatives like Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) and the Soil Health Card Scheme aim to reverse this trend, but adoption remains limited.
Improving soil health is essential for sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and human well-being, making it critical to scale these practices through policy support and farmer incentives.
Fasting and Microbial Resilience: Ancient Practices with Modern Relevance
Fasting, deeply embedded in Indian traditions—whether Ekadasi, Ramadan, or Lent—has been shown to enhance gut microbial diversity and reduce inflammation. Studies from Yale, NIH, and Arizona State University confirm that fasting promotes beneficial gut bacteria, strengthens the gut-brain connection, and stimulates the vagus nerve, enhancing stress resilience.
See more on fasting and microbiome research: Arizona State University Study.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240528192103.htm
Interestingly, the use of cow dung in soil rejuvenation has parallels in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)—a medical procedure used to restore gut bacteria after antibiotic-induced imbalance. This underscores the microbial wisdom inherent in ancient Indian practices.
Future of Modern Medicine and Ayurveda
The future of medicine is shifting toward a microbe-first approach, with many biotech companies developing microbiome-based therapies to prevent and treat diseases. Instead of relying solely on chemical drugs, researchers are creating personalized probiotics, engineered microbes, and live biotherapeutics to restore gut balance, boost immunity, and improve mental health. Interestingly, Ayurveda has long recognized the power of natural healing through herbs grown in pesticide- and chemical-free soil, which nurture gut health and overall well-being. Long before microbiome science emerged.
The classification of foods into Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic in Ayurveda aligns intriguingly with modern gut microbiome research, particularly in how different foods influence gut health and overall well-being.
Sattvic Foods are fresh, plant-based, light, and easily digestible. Rajasic Foods are stimulating, spicy, salty, and acidic – such foods can alter gut bacteria, sometimes leading to increased inflammation. Tamasic Foods are overly processed, heavy, or stale- they can promote the growth of harmful bacteria. Therefore, a Sattvic diet aligns most closely with a diverse and healthy microbiome, which modern science associates with longevity, mental well-being. The below article delves into greater detail on Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic foods.
https://yoganandahealth.com/page84.html
Ayurveda will prosper as long as the herbs are grown in chemical free soils.
The Modern Food System and Its Challenges
Traditional Indian diets emphasized the consumption of fresh, same-day meals, fostering exposure to a diverse range of beneficial microbes. However, globalization and urbanization have introduced challenges to this practice:
- Refrigerated and Processed Foods: The shift towards refrigerated and processed foods has limited microbial diversity in diets. Historically, local vendors supplied fresh produce daily, enhancing gut microbiota diversity.
- High Sugar Intake: Increased sugar consumption has disrupted gut bacteria and contributed to India’s diabetes crisis. In the 2023-24 season, India produced approximately 34 million metric tons of sugar with significant water usage for sugarcane cultivation. This analogy also holds true for increased consumption of white rice compared to other traditional and healthier alternatives such as millets or even brown rice.
- Transition from Earthen to Steel Utensils: The move from earthen to steel cooking utensils has altered traditional cooking methods. Earthen pots not only provided better heat retention but also leached beneficial minerals into food.
- To restore gut-friendly food systems, India should reconsider agricultural priorities, promote fresh local produce, and regulate ultra-processed foods.
Policy and Lifestyle Strategies for Sustainability
- Enhance Urban Access to Fresh Produce: Evaluate current versus traditional systems from a human health perspective, moving beyond the Western model of large produce stores.
- Integrate Fruit-Bearing Trees in Public Spaces: Encourage the planting of fruit-bearing trees in public parks and promote the exchange of fruits during festivals, aligning with traditional practices and reducing reliance on sugar-laden sweets.
- Promote Urban Agriculture: Support vertical farms and community gardens in urban areas to increase access to fresh produce.
- Regulate Processed Foods and Sugar Consumption: Implement higher GST tiers for sweets to curb sugar intake and discourage the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
- Encourage Water-Efficient Sugar Alternatives: Advocate for the adoption of sugar alternatives that require less water, addressing both health and environmental concerns.
- Strengthen Soil Health Initiatives: Expand organic farming programs with targeted regional funding to improve soil health and promote sustainable agriculture.
- Promote Ayurvedic medicinal farms: Efficacy of Ayurveda medicines is based on pesticide- and chemical-free soils. Special tax incentives and certifications by the Ministry of AYUSH are essential.
- Utilize Management Graduates for Agricultural Outreach: Engage management graduates to conduct focus groups with farmers and disseminate regional success stories, fostering knowledge exchange.
- Develop an Environmental Health Index (EHI): Complement GDP measurements with an EHI that assesses soil, water, air, energy, and ecosystem health.
Johan Rockström, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, emphasizes the urgency of such measures, noting that six of the nine planetary boundaries have been breached, underscoring the critical need for comprehensive policy action
For more insights on the Environmental Health Index, refer to my Earth.org article.
Integrating Ancient Wisdom with Modern Science
India’s traditional knowledge of gut health, soil microbiota, and sustainability is increasingly validated by modern research. However, reviving these practices in today’s urbanized world requires adaptation. The key is to blend traditional wisdom with scientific innovation—promoting local, fresh food systems, incentivizing soil-friendly agriculture, and designing policies that protect both human and planetary health.
By recognizing the gut as the second brain, the vagus nerve as the bridge between diet and well-being, and soil as the foundation of sustainable health, India can lead a global shift toward microbial sustainability
Ram Ramprasad is a passionate advocate for sustainability, having authored two books and numerous articles on sustainable strategies for reputable publications. He previously served as the Global Marketing Director for a leading multinational company in the USA. Ram holds degrees from Madras University in India and Yale University in the USA.
