Food: 10 combinations to avoid according to Ayurveda and science
Ayurveda, an ancient medicine originating in India, emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet tailored to each individual. Among its fundamental principles is the concept of "Viruddha Ahara", which means "incompatible food combinations". Certain food combinations, although common in our eating habits, can actually disrupt our digestion and overall health. Let's look at 10 examples of combinations to avoid, based on Ayurvedic principles and supported by recent scientific discoveries, with more detailed explanations.
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7/1/20245 min read
1. Milk and fruit
Ayurveda strongly discourages combining milk with fruits, especially citrus fruits, bananas, and grapes. This combination can slow down digestion, leading to bloating and intestinal fermentation.
Scientific explanation:
Coagulation of milk proteins: Fruits, and especially citrus fruits, are rich in vitamin C. This vitamin C has the property of acidifying the digestive environment. When milk comes into contact with this acidic environment, its proteins coagulate, which can slow down digestion and disrupt nutrient absorption.
Intestinal fermentation: Fruits, especially dried fruits and ripe fruits, contain natural sugars that can ferment in the intestine. Milk fermentation, a normal part of its digestion, can add to this intestinal fermentation, causing bloating, gas, and digestive problems.
2. Meat and fish with dairy products
Ayurveda considers the digestion of meat and fish to be incompatible with that of dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. This combination can lead to a feeling of heaviness, fatigue, and indigestion.
Scientific explanation:
Different protein digestion: Meat and fish contain complex proteins that require an acidic digestive environment to be properly digested. On the other hand, dairy products contain simpler proteins that are better digested in an alkaline environment. Consuming these two types of food together can disrupt their respective digestive processes and slow down overall digestion.
Formation of hard-to-digest fatty compounds: Combining meat or fish with dairy products can promote the formation of complex fatty compounds that are difficult for the intestine to digest. This can lead to a feeling of heaviness, fatigue, and indigestion.
3. Melon and other foods
According to Ayurveda, melon should not be eaten with other foods, as it has a different digestive effect. It is recommended to eat it alone, outside of meals.
Scientific explanation:
Rapid digestion of melon: Melon is a fruit rich in water and natural sugars, which digests very quickly in the stomach. Consumed with other foods, it can pass into the small intestine before the other foods have had time to digest properly. This can disrupt nutrient absorption and lead to digestive problems.
Diuretic effect of melon: Melon has a significant diuretic effect, which can lead to dehydration if consumed with other foods. This dehydration can disrupt digestion and promote constipation.
4. Honey and hot water
Ayurveda advises against heating honey, as it makes it toxic and alters its beneficial properties. It is best to consume it raw, at room temperature or slightly warm.
Scientific explanation:
Formation of toxic compounds: When honey is heated to high temperatures, it can break down and produce toxic substances called hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). These substances can have harmful health effects, including increasing the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Destruction of beneficial enzymes: Honey contains enzymes that are beneficial for digestion and overall health. These enzymes are heat sensitive and can be destroyed if honey is heated to high temperatures.
5. Leftovers and fresh food
Ayurveda recommends consuming fresh food and not mixing it with leftovers from previous meals. This combination can disrupt digestion and the quality of the food.
Scientific explanation:
Bacterial proliferation: Leftovers, when not stored properly, can promote the proliferation of harmful bacteria. Consuming these leftovers with fresh food can contaminate the latter and increase the risk of food poisoning.
Nutrient degradation: Fresh foods lose some of their nutrients over time, especially vitamins and minerals. Consuming leftovers can therefore deprive the body of these essential nutrients.
6. Yogurt and fish
Ayurveda considers the combination of yogurt and fish to be incompatible, as it can disrupt the intestinal flora and promote the growth of harmful bacteria.
Scientific explanation:
Acidity of fish: Fish is an acidic food that can disrupt the pH balance of the intestine. Yogurt, although acidic at first, becomes alkaline during digestion. Consuming these two foods together can disrupt the balance of the intestinal flora and promote the growth of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli.
Interaction with yogurt probiotics: Yogurt is rich in probiotics, bacteria that are beneficial for intestinal health. Fish contains amines, substances that can interact with probiotics and reduce their effectiveness.
7. Dry beans and meat
Ayurveda advises against combining dry beans, such as lentils and peas, with meat. This combination can lead to gas, bloating, and digestive difficulties.
Scientific explanation:
Fiber in dry beans: Dry beans are rich in fiber, which can ferment in the intestine and produce gas. Consuming dry beans and meat together can increase gas production and lead to bloating and flatulence.
Different protein digestion: Dry beans contain plant proteins that digest more slowly than animal proteins in meat. Consuming these two types of proteins together can disrupt their respective digestive processes and slow down overall digestion.
8. Tea and milk
Ayurveda considers tea, especially black tea, not to go well with milk. This combination can interfere with the absorption of iron contained in tea.
Scientific explanation:
Formation of insoluble compounds: Tea contains tannins, polyphenolic compounds that can bind to iron and form insoluble compounds. These insoluble compounds cannot be absorbed by the intestine, which decreases the absorption of iron contained in the tea.
Reduced absorption of non-heme iron: The iron contained in tea is non-heme iron, which is less readily absorbed by the intestine than the heme iron contained in meat. The presence of milk in tea can further reduce the absorption of non-heme iron.
9. Sugar and dairy products
Ayurveda advises against combining dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, with refined sugar. This combination can promote mucus production and disrupt the body's acid-base balance.
Scientific explanation:
Mucus production: Consuming refined sugar stimulates the production of mucus in the body. Mucus can accumulate in the respiratory and digestive tracts, causing respiratory problems, constipation, and other health issues.
Disruption of acid-base balance: Refined sugar is an acidifying food that can disrupt the body's acid-base balance. Dairy products, although acidic at first, have an alkalizing effect on the body. Consuming these two types of foods together can exacerbate the acidification of the body and contribute to the development of chronic diseases.
10. Acidic fruits and vegetables
Ayurveda advises against combining acidic fruits, such as citrus fruits, pineapples, and tomatoes, with vegetables. This combination can disrupt digestion and create a feeling of indigestion.
Scientific explanation:
Acidity of acidic fruits: Acidic fruits are rich in vitamin C and citric acids, which can acidify the stomach and disrupt the digestion of vegetables. Consuming these two types of foods together can slow down digestion and cause stomach aches, bloating, and heartburn.
Digestive enzymes in acidic fruits: Acidic fruits contain digestive enzymes that can interfere with the digestive enzymes in vegetables. This can disrupt the vegetable digestion process and reduce nutrient absorption.
It is important to note that these principles are general recommendations and individual sensitivity may vary. It is important to observe how your body reacts to these combinations and adjust your diet accordingly.
By following these principles and supporting them with recent scientific discoveries, it is possible to adopt a more balanced diet that is more favorable to good digestive and overall health.
Remember, this information is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional.
By taking a more conscious approach to our food choices and taking into account Ayurvedic principles and scientific discoveries, we can improve our digestion, strengthen our immune system, and contribute to our overall well-being.