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                                                           Vata governs movement and neural-electrical impulses. It is responsible for                                                                         some of the basic body functions such as the heartbeat, cell division, movement                                                                   of food in digestion and the workings of the nervous system. Vata body areas are                                                                 the large intestine, pelvis, bones, skin, ears, and thighs. Vata imbalances can cause conditions like high blood pressure, constipation, anxiety and dry skin. People with Vata as dominant Dosha are believed to be quick thinking, thin, and fast.  Vata governs many basic functions of the body like breathing, heart pulsation, blood flow, all expansion and contraction, movements in the muscles and tissues, the movements of cytoplasm and the cell membranes, and the movement of the single impulses in nerve cells, blinking of the eyelids, waste elimination, and the way our thoughts cross our minds. Vata also controls feelings and emotions such as freshness, anxiety, fear, nervousness, pain, tremors, and spasms.

The prime location of Vata in human body is colon but it also resides in the hips, thighs, ears, bones, large intestine, pelvic cavity, and skin. Thus if the Vata exceeds in the body it accumulated in these areas. Any imbalance of Vata energy can cause conditions like high blood pressure, constipation, anxiety, dry skin, insomnia and cramps. Vata can be thrown out of balance by, by staying up late at night, eating dry fruit, or eating before the previous meal is digested.   Vata people have variable appetite and digestive efficiency and like sweet, sour and salty tastes and hot drinks. They usually have irregular appetite and thirst; hence experience digestive and malabsorption problems. Common Vata Dosha imbalances include:
- Dry, hard stools, constipation or gas
- Nervousness, anxiety, panic, fear
- Difficulty tolerating loud noises
- Twitches, tics, tremors, spasms
- Low body weight, emaciation
- Cracking and popping joints-Cracking and popping joints
- Excess thinking or worrying
- Spacey, scattered feeling
- Dislike of cold and wind
- Light, restless sleep
- Dry or chapped skin
- Absentmindedness
- Poor memory
Since Vata is a cold dry Doshas, warm, nourishing foods are good to balance Vata. You should include in your diet the food that is warm, moderately heavy, slightly oily (garnished with butter and fat), sweet, soothing and satisfying. All such foods are good for settling disturbed Vata. Food items such as warm milk, cream, butter, warm soups, stews, hot cereals, fresh baked bread, ripe fruits, salted nuts are good for vata. Breakfast is very important for vata people. You can add hot cereals such as cream of rice or wheat, any warm, milky, and sweet food item in your breakfast. Vata person should avoid high caffeine drinks instead of them they can opt herbal teas. Spicy Mexican or Indian foods that are cooked in oil also good for vata people. On the other hand cold foods such as cold salads, iced drinks, raw vegetables and greens are not very good for persons with vata imbalance. They should avoid eating candies, dry fruits, and unripe fruits.