Ayurveda Certification Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Excessive consumption of sour foods primarily affects the Pitta and Kapha doshas. Sour foods, such as citrus fruits, fermented items, and vinegar, possess qualities that can increase heat and acidity in the body. Consequently, when Pitta—which is characterized by heat and transformation—is aggravated by sour tastes, it can lead to issues like acid reflux, inflammation, or digestive disturbances.

Additionally, sour foods can also increase Kapha dosha because they possess moist and heavy qualities, which can lead to aggravation of Kapha-associated conditions like mucus build-up, lethargy, and congestion. This dual impact makes the option concerning Pitta and Kapha the most accurate, as sour foods have the potential to disturb both of these doshas specifically.

In contrast, while Vata may be affected by other taste profiles such as bitter or astringent, the nature of sour foods does not significantly disturb Vata, which is primarily characterized by qualities of air and space. This helps clarify why the focus is specifically on Pitta and Kapha as the doshas influenced by excessive sour food consumption.