Learn about Viruddha Ahara (Incompatible Diet) from Veda5 Ayurveda & Yoga Wellness Retreats in Rishikesh, Kerala & Goa, India
INTRODUCTION
Ayurveda is one of the most ancient medical sciences which is still continuing and proving its effectiveness in present scenario. Unlike other medical sciences, instead of focusing on treatment of any particular disease, Ayurveda focuses more on the healthy living and wellbeing of the person.
For healthy living, Ayurveda emphasizes on consuming right kind of diet which is healthy and nutritious.
In Ayurvedic classics, Incompatible Diet (Viruddha Ahara) is explained in a scientific manner. As per Ayurveda, a cause of many systemic disorders is Viruddha Ahara. It is very important how certain food combinations interact with each other and are prone to metabolic disorders.
Viruddha Ahara Sevan (Having an Incompatible Diet) is also one of the leading causative factors for some lifestyle disorders such as Hypertension, Diabetes, Hypo, and hyperthyroidism.
Various survey studies and research have indicated that fast food intake was relatively high per week (88.8%) and per day (50.1%) in populations suffering from lifestyle disorders.
Most of the population is bent towards unhealthy dietary habits such as fast food, junk snacks and carbonated drinks. According to Ayurveda, fast food is a form of Viruddha Ahara.
Types of Viruddha Ahara (Incompatible Food)
Ayurveda literature has described various types of Viruddha Ahara
| SL NO | TYPES OF VIRUDDHA | EXAMPLES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desha Viruddha (place incompatibility) | Eating spicy food in a warm geographical area |
| 2 | Kala Viruddha (time incompatible) | Consuming curd at night |
| 3 | Agni Viruddha (digestive incompatibility) | Overeating when there is less appetite |
| 4 | Satmya Viruddha (suitable incompatibility) | Person habit of hot, pungent substances consuming sweet, cold |
| 5 | Matra Viruddha (dose incompatibility) | Combine equal part Honey and cow’s ghee |
| 6 | Dosha Viruddha (dosha incompatibility) | Curd and rice for skin disease |
| 7 | Sanskara Viruddha (preparation incompatibility) | Heated honey |
| 8 | Veerya Viruddha (potency incompatibility) | Fish and milk |
| 9 | Koshtha Viruddha (gut incompatibility) | Mild laxative in chronic constipation |
| 10 | Avastha Viruddha (health incompatibility) | Labours consuming alcohol without considering their impact on their health |
| 11 | Krama Viruddha (sequence incompatibility) | Hot water after taking honey |
| 12 | Parihara Viruddha (contraindication incompatibility) | Cold water after hot tea |
| 13 | Upachar Viruddha (indication incompatibility) | Cold water after ghee |
| 14 | Paaka Viruddha (cooking incompatibility) | Over roaster rice |
| 15 | Samyoga Viruddha (combination incompatibility) | Milk + banana |
| 16 | Hridya Viruddha (palatable incompatibility) | Phobia towards object |
| 17 | Sampad Viruddha (property incompatibility) | Sweet with samosa |
| 18 | Vidhi Viruddha (rules incompatibility) | Laugh, speak while eating |
Diseases caused due to food incompatibility
Acharyas have not only discussed the viruddha ahara types and examples but also have mentioned the various disease manifestations in the human body due to the consumption of multiple types of viruddha, which occurs mainly due to dhatu dushti resulting in death in the prolonged unmanaged diet.
- Shandhya (impotence)
- Andhya (Blindness)
- Visarpa (Erysipelas)
- Jalodara (Ascitis)
- Visphota (Pustules)
- Unmada (Insanity)
- Bhagandara (Fistula in ano)
- Murcha (Coma/fainting)
- Mada (Narcosis)
- Aadhmana (Abdominal distention)
- Galagraha (Obstruction in throat)
- Pandu roga (Anemia)
- Ama (Endogenous toxin)
- Shilasa (Leucoderma)
- Kushta (Various skin disorders)
- Grahani (Sprue)
- Shotha (Swelling or oedema)
- Amlapitta (Acidity)
- Jwara (Fever)
- Pinasa (Allergic Rhinitis)
- Santana Dosha (Infertility problem)
- Mrutyu (Death)
Mode of Action of Viruddha Ahara
Intake of viruddha ahara → Leads to generation of ama (free radicles/toxins) → Stimulates doshas in gastrointestinal tract → Get mixed with digestive juices → Subsequently affects rasa dhatus and so on it spread to next dhatus → Travelling to all over body wherever there is khavaigunya (inherent deformity) it gets lodged → Shows symptoms of diseases
Viruddha Ahara taken regularly could induce inflammation at a molecular level, disturbing the eicosanoid pathway creating more arachidonic acid leading to increased prostaglandin-2 and thromboxane, this inflammatory effect is an important effect as these all are the basic pathologies that create Agni Mandya, Ama, and a number of metabolic disorders.
Chikitsa Siddhantha
The management of Virudha Ahara induced diseases – It is advisable to intimate the therapy with Amapachana with Vishahara drugs like Shunti (ginger), Haridra (turmeric), and Shirisha (lebbeck), any incompatibility among the drugs of formation in terms of Rasa, Virya and Vipaka may alter the therapeutic activity.
The person who habitually takes Viruddha Aahara should be subjected to:
- Shamana (pacifying) therapy depending upon the Doshik vitiation with drugs which are qualitatively opposite to such Viruddha Aahara OR
- Shodhana therapy mainly:
- Vamana (therapeutic emesis)
- Virechana (therapeutic purgation)
NOTE:
Along with drug therapy gradual shift from unwholesome diet to wholesome diet should be done with care. Sudden change of dietary pattern may not be suitable for the person so this must be done in slow manner.
Food incompatibilities in Today’s Perspective
Viruddha Ahara can lead to inflammation at a molecular level. Number of food incompatibilities is mentioned in old Ayurvedic literature, such as Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas. Along with these types of food combinations some are also used in today’s era.
We have to identify those new food incompatibilities which are used today in day-to-day life as per Ayurvedic perspective and make research on them and create awareness in public about its consequences.
Viruddha Ahara we are taking now-a-days unknowingly, are more harmful. For example:
- Green tea or black tea and milk: Tea contains flavonoids called catechus, which have many beneficial effects on the heart. When milk is added to tea, then a group of proteins in milk, called caseins interact with the tea to reduce the concentration of catechus. So, avoid tea and milk together.
- Milk and yoghurt: Consuming both together can precipitate milk inside the stomach that may irritate and induce vomiting. So, avoid milk and yoghurt together.
- Unripe (green) tomatoes or potatoes and alcohol: The unripe green tomatoes contain huge amount of solanine, which may interact with alcohol. You may feel more sedation if the intake is more.
- Pomegranate juice and grapefruit juice: Both are known to block the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme in the intestine and increase blood levels of many medications you are taking. Taking these two juices together may synergize the above action.
CONCLUSION
It is evident that Virudha Ahara plays a significant role in the improper dietary habits prevalent today. Consumption of such foods can lead to various disorders and, in severe cases, may result in life-threatening diseases.
It is, therefore, crucial to identify and eliminate these incompatible dietary factors (Nidana Parivarjana), particularly in children who frequently consume flavoured snacks, fried chips (potato, corn), and similar items. The preservatives and salts used in these products are often associated with carcinogenic effects.
Ahara (food) is not only essential for maintaining health but also plays a vital role in the treatment of various diseases. Patients suffering from food poisoning or adverse effects of preservatives can be treated using similar therapeutic approaches. Raising awareness and educating the general public about the hazards of incompatible foods is of utmost importance.
Viruddha ahara (incompatible diet) is a very important concept of Ayurveda, ignoring it results in the manifestation of diseases and as we know that “Prevention is better than Cure”, it is very essential to follow guidelines given by Ayurveda acharyas to lead a healthy life.
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