Viruddh Aahar List

Question

I’ve recently started learning about Ayurveda, and one concept that keeps coming up is the viruddh aahar list. I understand that it refers to incompatible food combinations, but I’m not sure why certain combinations are considered harmful or how strictly they need to be avoided. Can someone explain what the viruddh aahar list includes and the science behind it?

For example, I’ve always eaten curd with salty food, like parathas, but I read that it’s part of the viruddh aahar list and can create toxins in the body. Similarly, fish with milk or fruit with milk is also considered incompatible. Are these rules based on modern digestive science, or are they more rooted in Ayurvedic tradition?

What happens if someone eats from the viruddh aahar list regularly? Are the effects immediate, like bloating or indigestion, or do they build up over time and lead to more serious health problems?

If you’ve adjusted your diet based on the viruddh aahar list, how challenging was it? Did avoiding these combinations make a noticeable difference in your digestion or energy levels?

Dr. Harsha Joy · Accepted Answer

Viruddh aahar, or incompatible food combinations, is a concept in Ayurveda that emphasizes the importance of food synergy for optimal digestion and health. According to Ayurvedic principles, certain food combinations can disrupt the digestive process, leading to the formation of toxins (ama) in the body, which in turn can cause digestive discomfort, bloating, and eventually more serious health issues. For example, combining curd (yogurt) with salty foods like parathas can aggravate kapha dosha and disturb the stomach's acid-base balance, while combining fish with milk or fruits with milk can impair digestion due to their differing digestion times and qualities. These rules are rooted in traditional Ayurvedic understanding, which sees the body as a system of interconnected processes, rather than in modern digestive science. When incompatible foods are eaten regularly, the effects may not always be immediate, but over time, they can contribute to digestive disturbances, skin issues, or chronic conditions like acidity or bloating. Adjusting to the viruddh aahar principles can be challenging at first, but many people find improvements in digestion, energy, and overall health once they start avoiding these combinations. It’s a gradual process that requires mindfulness, but it can be highly beneficial for long-term health.

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