Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, provides a logical solution for determining the right food combinations to have based on a person’s constitution- vata, pitta and kapha doshas. This holistic science of healing helps to maintain overall health and prevent disease. As per the Ayurvedic principles, different foods have unique energies (virya), tastes (rasa) and post-digestive actions (vipaka). When incompatible foods are combined and consumed, they can severely impede the digestion process, create toxins (ama), and lead to imbalances in the doshas, which can result in several health maladies. Furthermore, it implies that the gastric fire or agni in the stomach and digestive tract is the primary passage through which nutrients enter the tissues and then pass along to each cell to sustain bodily functions.
What Are Incompatible Food Combinations?
An incompatible food combination is known as Viruddha Ahara in Ayurveda. A strong digestive fire can be a vital tool for all to manage bad food combinations. If the system becomes accustomed to a certain type of food combination through several years of use, like having cheese with apples, then it is likely that the body has made some adjustments or become accustomed to this. But the same combination for the first timer may create a strong issue with indigestion. Incompatible food combinations can lead to:
- Displaying conflicting energies or digestive needs
- It can lead to fermentation, indigestion or toxin formation
- Hinder the system’s metabolic function
Also Read: What Is Ayurvedic Diet? What Is It, Benefits, Guidelines And Ways To Fight Doshas
Common Incompatible Food Combinations To Avoid
Fruits with Dairy
Bananas with milk or yogurt are incompatible and should be avoided. Bananas are sour and heating in nature, while milk is sweet and cooling. This blend produces ama (toxins) and can lead to sinus congestion, cold, cough and skin problems.
Milk with Meat or Fish
Chicken or fish with milk. Milk is naturally cooling and heavy on the gut, while meat and fish are heating. Having them can impede the digestion process, increase toxin production and may result in skin conditions like rashes or eczema.
Fruits with Meals
Fruit salad with grains or vegetables. Fruits without the skin are digested more quickly than whole grains and vegetables. Melding them can cause fermentation in the gut, resulting in bloating and indigestion.
Honey with Hot Drinks
Honey in hot water or tea has to be refrained. Heating honey makes it toxic as per Ayurveda, releasing harmful chemicals that can affect the liver and increase ama in the body.
Ghee and Honey in Equal Quantities
Mixing equal parts of ghee and honey is not beneficial. Though both these foods are valuable individually, when blended in equal amounts they have opposite effects on the system. This combination produces toxins and can be harmful to digestion.
Cold Water After A Meal
Drinking cold water after spicy or oily food is to be avoided. Cold water slows down digestion by solidifying fats and weakens digestive fire (Agni) resulting in indigestion and toxin accumulation.
What Are the Health Impacts of Incompatible Food Combinations?
Indigestion, bloating, and constipation are some of the digestive issues caused due to weakened digestive fire (Agni).
Ama (toxins) accumulate, weakening immunity and causing extreme fatigue.
Skin woes like acne, eczema, and rashes are commonly seen due to toxin buildup.
It may result in poor metabolism and weight gain.
Long-term consumption can contribute to inflammation, arthritis, or autoimmune diseases.
Tips for Healthy Food Combinations
Combine Fruits Rightly: Have fruits as a standalone snack, 1-2 hours before or after meals.
Balance Tastes: Include all six tastes such as sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent in your meals to promote a smooth digestion process.
Warm water: Sip on warm water with meals to support digestion rather than cold water.
Go For Seasonal Foods: Eat according to the season to balance doshas.
Use Spices: Include ginger, cumin, and turmeric to enhance the digestion process and reduce ama formation.
Pro Tip: Listen to your body signals, eat seasonal fresh, and easily digestible foods, and avoid processed and incompatible combinations to maintain your digestive fire strong and your health in balance.
(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile:
M Sowmya Binu:
With over 15 years of expertise and a Postgraduate degree in Nutrition, M Sowmya Binu is a seasoned professional in the field of nutrition. Specializing in tailoring personalized diet plans, she underscores the significance of a balanced approach to health, emphasizing the integration of medication with dietary intake for holistic wellness. Passionate about equipping individuals with the knowledge to make informed decisions, Sowmya adeptly develops insightful content encompassing a wide array of topics including food, nutrition, supplements, and overall health.
References:
https://ayurveda.com/incompatible-food-combining/
Viruddha Ahara: A critical view
Mukund Sabnis 1,✉
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3665091/
https://saatwika.in/myths-and-facts-about-incompatible-food-combinations-in-ayurveda/
