1. Types of Viruddha Aahara

Viruddha Aahara can be classified into various categories based on the incompatible combinations of foods that are consumed together. These combinations can disturb the delicate balance of our body’s internal environment, impeding digestion and leading to potential health problems. Some notable types include:

– Hot and Cold Food Combinations: According to Ayurvedic principles, combining foods with opposing thermal properties can disrupt the body’s digestive fire (Agni) and lead to indigestion. Mixing cold and hot foods in a single meal can create an imbalance in the digestive process.

– Protein and Carbohydrate Combinations: Simultaneously consuming protein-rich and carbohydrate-rich foods can pose challenges for the digestive system. This is because proteins require an acidic environment for digestion, while carbohydrates need a more alkaline environment. Mixing the two can create confusion in the stomach.

– Fruit Combinations: Fruits have a rapid digestion process, and consuming them immediately after a heavy meal can lead to fermentation in the gut. Mixing certain fruits with others can also cause digestive discomfort due to varying digestion times and enzymes required.

18 Types of Food Incompatibility Or Viruddha ahara

Complete viruddha ahara

•         Location: Desha Viruddha
•         Matra Viruddha in quantity
•         Full of flavor – Satmya Viruddha
•         Preparation Method: Sanskar Viruddha
•         Veerya Viruddha’s power
•         Health status of Avastha Viruddha
•         Kram Viruddha, the sequence
•         Upachar Viruddha’s medical care
•         Preparation/Cooking – Paak Viruddha
•         Samyoga Viruddha combination
•         Quality wealth – Sampad Viruddha
•         Eating guidelines – Vidhi Viruddha
•         Viruddha Kala
•         Viruddha Agni
•         Viruddha Dosha
•         Viruddha Koshtha
•         Viruddha Parihar
•         Viruddha Hriday

Examples of inappropriate food pairings according to Ayurveda (Viruddha ahara)

• Potency incompatibility (Veerya Viruddha) Illustration: Combining proteins from two distinct food sources, such as seafood and milk, is not advisable.
• Incompatibility due to processing (Sanskar Viruddha)

Illustratively, honey makes the body hotter, reheating or incorporating it  into a  hot beverage is another practice which may be termed as   Viruddhahara

• Incompatibility due to dosage (Matra Viruddha)

Food incompatibility is often caused by mixing certain foods in certain quantities, like Ghee and honey mixed in the same quantity. Acharya believed it to be  poisonous.

• Incompatibility due to  order/sequence of taking food (Krama Viruddha)

For instance, eating curd at night. drinking hot milk or tea after adding honey. Taking Tikta and Katu Rasa Dravyas at the beginning of meals and Madhura Rasa food or Dravya at the conclusion

• Incompatibility due to  food combinations (Samyoga Viruddha)

Fruits mixed with milk as in fruit salad or banana milkshake are inadvisable as they are incompatible with each other .

• Consuming a cold substance while the body is hot is another example of a contraindication incompatibility (Parihar Viruddha). Most people have a habit of drinking cold water straight from the refrigerator.The human body is thought to be incompatible with this. To get back to normal, our bodies must exert greater effort. Though many doctors advise  this practice to speed up metabolism, Ayurveda does not endorse this.
• Time incompatibility (Kala Viruddha) Example: Having a strong-tasting material in the summer and cold food, such as ice cream or refrigerated water, in the winter.

Other everyday food habits regarded as viruddha ahara:

•         Boiling milk with tea.
•         Consuming grains with fruits or tapioca.
•         Consuming bananas, sour fruits, melons, and other fruits with milk.
•         Combining eggs, milk, fish, fruits, yoghurt, and beans for a meal..
•         Eating salty meals  with milk.
•         Taking vegetables  with fruits or milk.
•         Combining yoghurt  with cheese, hot drinks, sour fruits, milk, mangoes, potatoes, tomatoes, beans, eggs, or fish.
•         Consuming proteins and lipids together because their digestion requires different digestive juices.
•         Combining cheese with eggs, fruits, hot beverages, milk, beans, or yoghurt.
•         Consuming proteins and starches together as they don’t mix well, thus eating them both at once may cause digestive problems.
•         Consuming dairy products, melon, cucumber, and other fruits with nightshades.
•         Taking milk, lemons, yoghurt, tomatoes, and cucumbers together.

III. Effects of Viruddha Aahara on Digestion

The consequences of incompatible food combinations are primarily felt within the realm of digestion. Our digestive system functions optimally when the foods we consume are harmonious with each other. When incompatible foods are consumed together, they can hamper the digestive process in several ways:

– Disrupted Digestive Enzymes: Incompatible food combinations can lead to conflicting requirements for digestive enzymes. This can hinder the breakdown of nutrients and result in indigestion.

– Increased Toxins and Waste: Poor digestion caused by Viruddha Aahara can lead to the production of toxins and waste products. These substances can accumulate in the body and contribute to a range of health problems.

– Nutrient Absorption: Inefficient digestion impairs nutrient absorption, potentially leading to nutrient deficiencies even when a balanced diet is consumed.

1. Viruddha Aahara and Common Health Issues

The impact of Viruddha Aahara extends beyond digestion, with far-reaching effects on overall health and well-being:

– Digestive Disorders: Incompatible food combinations have been linked to digestive discomforts such as bloating, gas, acid reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

– Chronic Diseases: Prolonged consumption of Viruddha Aahara has been associated with the development of chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues. This is due to the strain placed on the digestive system and the body’s overall imbalance.

– Mental Health: The gut-brain connection plays a crucial role in mental health. Disrupted digestion from incompatible food combinations can potentially impact mood and contribute to conditions like anxiety and depression.

In Conclusion

Viruddha Aahara serves as a reminder that our dietary choices extend beyond individual foods and encompass the intricate interactions between them. By understanding the principles of incompatible food combinations, we empower ourselves to make more informed decisions about what we eat. In a world where dietary trends are abundant, grasping the impact of Viruddha Aahara on digestion and health is an essential step towards achieving holistic well-being.