Annavaha Srotas in Ayurveda: A Comprehensive Literary Review With Special Reference to Digestive Physiology and Contemporary Gastrointestinal Science

The concept of Annavaha Srotas occupies a central position in Ayurvedic physiology, representing the biological system responsible for the reception, digestion, transformation, transportation, and assimilation of food. Although extensively described throughout classical Ayurvedic literature, these descriptions remain dispersed across different Samhitas, resulting in an incomplete understanding of its comprehensive physiological significance. Contemporary gastrointestinal science has considerably advanced the understanding of digestive physiology through studies on gastrointestinal motility, enzymatic digestion, intestinal absorption, neuroendocrine regulation, mucosal immunity, gut microbiota, and the gut–brain axis. Integrating these modern concepts with Ayurvedic principles may provide a broader understanding of digestive physiology and facilitate evidence-based interpretation of traditional knowledge. Annavaha Srotas should be viewed as a dynamic functional biological network rather than merely an anatomical structure, closely paralleling modern systems biology and gastrointestinal physiology. Classical Ayurvedic literature describes Annavaha Srotas as a multidimensional physiological system governed by Agni, Dosha, Dhatu, and Srotasa integrity. Contemporary evidence demonstrates remarkable functional parallels with the gastrointestinal tract, including gastric digestion, intestinal motility, enzymatic secretion, nutrient absorption, enteroendocrine signaling, mucosal immune regulation, gut microbiota, and bidirectional gut–brain communication. The functional interpretation extends beyond structural anatomy, encompassing integrated digestive, absorptive, metabolic, neuroendocrine, and immunological processes.