V ata displays the qualities of air and space - it is dry, light, cold, subtle, rough and mobile. Anything which has similar qualities to vata will increase it, and things with the opposite qualities will decrease it. The literal meaning of pitta is 'that which heats or cooks'. Pitta is responsible for all metabolic and chemical functions in the body. It is also responsible for digestion, hunger, thirst, courage, eye-sight, body temperature, intellect and skin color.
Pitta is hot, sharp, sour, pungent and moving.
The literal meaning of kapha is 'that which binds'. It is responsible for lubrication and cohesion in the body. In qualities, kapha is oily, smooth, firm, dense, sticky, heavy, cold, viscous, dull and wet. It is aggravated by eating sweet, sour, salty, oily, cold, fried and heavy foods. It is also aggravated by sleeping during the day and lack of physical activity.