Milk from the perspective of Ayurveda

You have probably noticed that in recent years, the incidence of skin problems, digestive problems and autoimmune diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis and psoriasis has increased dramatically. Modern medicine may not have a clear explanation for this, but Ayurveda does. According to Ayurveda, all diseases in the human body arise due to a weak digestive fire, the so-called Mandagni.

Digestion is the foundation of health. In other words, if agni (digestive fire) is weakened or scattered, food is not digested properly. The undigested residues are then converted into ama – toxic metabolic substances that accumulate in the body and over time lead to the development of various diseases.

The most common causes of poor digestion are:

inappropriate or incompatible food combinations,
unsuitable foods (industrially processed, heavy, fried, fast food, etc.),
irregular eating habits (skipping meals, overeating, having dinner too late, etc.),
stress and an overall unhealthy lifestyle.

In this article, we will focus on inappropriate food combinations. First of all, those that we should never combine with milk. Ayurveda says that two foods that can support digestion on their own can, when mixed, weaken the digestive fire and cause digestive problems, the formation of ama (metabolic toxins) and ultimately lead to disease.

Ayurveda considers incompatible foods that:

are taken in incorrect combinations,
have undergone inappropriate processing,
are consumed at the wrong time,
at the wrong time of year,
or in the wrong quantity.

Milk and its combinations in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, milk is considered a complete food. It has guru (heavy) nature, madhur rasa (sweet taste) and madhur vipāka (sweet, nourishing effect after digestion). According to Ayurveda, if milk is consumed in the right quantity and is well digested, it nourishes the dhatu (all seven body tissues), balances all three doshas (váta, pitta, kapha) and increases ojas – our life force and immunity.

There is one but:

tired, bloated and uncomfortable all day? This is because milk, when consumed alone or with appropriate combinations, is well digested. However, when combined with incompatible foods, it disrupts the process of nourishing body tissues and weakens the immune system.

Ayurveda therefore explicitly mentions foods that should not be mixed with milk, such as:

meat
fish
egg
fruits (especially sour ones)
yogurt
salt

As I believe that facts must first be understood in order to be followed in life. Let's briefly explain why this is so.

According to Ayurveda, milk is a heavy, nutrient-rich food that slows down the digestive process. Therefore, combining it with other heavy, acidic, or animal foods is considered inappropriate.

Milk + meat

Ayurveda does not recommend combining milk with any kind of meat. Both foods are very difficult to digest and their combination slows down digestion.

Furthermore, modern science does not recommend combining two types of protein at the same time, as they reduce the production of stomach acids and worsen digestion. Long-term disruption of digestion then leads to the formation of toxins, and therefore diseases. Be careful of cream sauces poured over your steak, baked meat dishes with béchamel, etc.

Milk + fish

According to Ayurveda, consuming milk with fish is highly undesirable. Although the rasa (taste) of milk and fish are similar, their virya (potency) is opposite: milk has a cooling potency, while fish has a hot potency.

This virya-viruddha The combination disrupts digestion, leading to blockage of the storas (fine body channels) and the formation of toxins. This process can subsequently trigger or worsen autoimmune skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Be careful of fish topped with milk sauce, etc.

Milk + fresh fruit

Many clients in our consultations mention that they have dairy products with fruit for breakfast or as a snack. They believe that they are eating healthily. However, according to Ayurveda, milk is not compatible with most types of fruit, and therefore various smoothies, milkshakes or fruit curds are not suitable from an Ayurvedic point of view. The combination of milk with fruit disrupts digestion and promotes the formation of ama.

Milk + banana

Milk and banana are one of the most commonly used but most undesirable combinations. Although both milk and banana have a sweet taste, their vipāka (post-digestive effect) is different. Banana has a sour effect, milk is sweet. In addition, milk is guru (heavy), so together they form a combination that is difficult to digest and clogs the subtle channels of the body. This combination often leads to digestive disorders, bloating, a feeling of heaviness and contributes to the formation of ama, especially in people with predominant kapha.

Milk + sour fruit

Sour fruit has the opposite sour taste and vipāka (post-digestive effect) than milk, which is sweet vipāka. In addition, milk contains lactose and proteins, which, when combined with acidic components, can precipitate in the stomach, which disrupts digestion and again contributes to the formation of toxins.

Milk + raw vegetables

Ayurveda generally does not recommend consuming large amounts of raw vegetables. Raw vegetables are considered difficult to digest because they weaken agni. So when we combine two heavy ingredients, milk and raw vegetables, we unnecessarily burden the digestive system and can lead to the accumulation of toxins in the body.

Milk + radishes

Ayurveda states that this combination can cause twak roga, i.e. skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema or autoimmune skin inflammation. Radish has a hot potency, while milk has a cooling one. Therefore, they are another example of a combination of two opposite energies, causing chaos in the digestive system, upsetting the balance of the doshas and, in the long term, supporting the formation of ama .

Milk + nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant)

Combining milk with nightshade plants such as tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant is, according to Ayurveda, almost a surefire way to indigestion. These foods have opposite properties, a different post-digestive effect and a different taste than milk. For example, tomatoes have a sour taste, eggplant has a hot potency, potatoes are drying and heavy. The combination with milk, which is sweet, cool and heavy, leads to the formation of toxins and a disruption of the dosha balance . If you cannot avoid this combination, I recommend using it with spices, which can slightly mitigate the negative effects.

Milk + eggs

This combination is very difficult to digest, weakens the digestive fire and causes digestive problems such as bloating, gas, acidity. Even modern medicine warns against consuming two different types of animal proteins at the same time, because the production of digestive enzymes is reduced.

Can milk be combined with anything?

Yes, but only with great care. It is best to consume milk on its own as a complete and nutritious food. However, if you want to enhance its effects and reduce its heaviness, you can add ghee or spices, such as turmeric or cardamom. Spices will support digestion while minimizing the side effects that milk can have if used improperly.

Ayurveda , taking care of digestion is considered the basis of disease prevention. And as we have shown, for example, milk can be both medicine and poison for us. It depends on how and with what we consume it. Health does not just start with what we eat, but how and with what we eat it. Ayurveda beautifully teaches us that the subtle details in food combinations can have a profound impact on our overall health. If you are interested in more information on how to support your digestion, book a consultation with us.