Health Myths And Facts: Can Fruits Be Consumed Along With Dairy? See What Experts Say

Fruits are the best when it comes to pairing and seasoning for dessert and snacks. However, the question of whether it is safe to combine fruits and dairy remains a subject of debate.

Fruits and dairy

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Fruits are the best when it comes to pairing and seasoning for dessert and snacks. However, the question of whether it is safe to combine fruits and dairy remains a subject of debate. In a tweet by Abby Philips, popularly known as TheLiverDoc on Twitter, "Consumption of dairy along with fruits perfectly fine." To know more about it, ABP Live sought the opinion of experts who threw light on this and also busted other myths related to this.

Talking on the same line as TheLiverDoc, Dietician Garima Goyal said, "The idea that fruits and dairy shouldn't be consumed together is rooted in the belief that the two have different digestion times and may cause digestive issues when combined. However, this is largely a myth."

"In reality, fruits and dairy can be part of a healthy diet when consumed together. For example, yogurt with berries or a fruit smoothie with milk can provide a balanced mix of nutrients. The key is to pay attention to your own digestive system and any specific intolerances you may have. While some people may experience digestive discomfort due to lactose intolerance or other factors, many individuals can enjoy the nutritional benefits of combining fruits and dairy without any issues. As with any dietary advice, it's essential to consider individual variations and preferences. The idea that one should avoid consuming milk products with fruits due to scientific reasons is not widely supported by scientific evidence. The concept of 'food combining' or concerns about different digestion times for fruits and dairy lacks strong scientific backing," she added.

What Happens If Fruits Are Consumed Along With Milk?

 

In this regard, nutritionist Harleen Gill said, "When fruits and milk are combined, certain chemical reactions can occur, leading to potential side effects. Mixing fruits with milk disrupts the digestive process as they require different digestion times. It should be avoided to prevent digestive issues. It is important to note that milk is the type of animal protein that leads to digestive problems, fermentation, and acidity in the gastrointestinal tract when combined with certain fruits."

 

"Consuming milk in combination with certain fruits can lead to digestive problems, fermentation, and acidity in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid combining milk with citrusy or acidic fruits, as this combination can result in slower digestion, curdling of milk in the stomach, and ultimately cause gas and heartburn. Remember to keep your digestive system healthy by avoiding this combination of food," she went on to say.

 

"Fruits with milk can be good and bad depending on the type of fruit. The combo can be harmful as they interfere with the digestive tract, produce toxins, and alter intestinal flora leading to sinus congestion, cold cough, and allergies. For example, when milk and lemon or any citrus fruits are brought together, the milk coagulates. This, in the end, leads to indigestion and heartburn. Some people are also lactose intolerant, which means their bodies will not properly digest the lactose available in milk. This leads to an entirely different set of issues regarding digestion,"she added.

Individual Preferences:

In this regard, Rashi Tantia, who is the HOD - Dietician, at Metro Hospital Faridabad said, "Combining fruits with dairy is not a direct myth or fact universally; rather, it depends on individual preferences and tolerances."

Pairing fruits with milk is a smart choice for those looking to indulge in a sweet yet healthy treat and the combination offers a delicious taste that will satisfy your cravings without compromising your health goals.

Talking about this, Rashi said, "If done regularly, pairing milk and curds with fruits can be a nutritious way to include dairy in meals. But mixing fruits carelessly and inappropriately can lead to problems like unstable stomach. For example, eating milk or curd with unripe mango, orange, strawberries, or other acidic fruits might cause acid reflux, upset stomach, heartburn, or gastric reflux disease (GERD)."

"However, if the mango is sweet and completely ripe, it can be a healthy addition to a meal like a mango shake. These carefully chosen combinations provide a significant amount of nourishment. Consequently, even if eating dairy products with fruits can be advantageous, it's important to do so mindfully and cautiously," she added.

 

What Fruit Goes Well With Milk?

 

Taling about this, Harleen listed the following:

 

The best fruits goes well with milk are:

• mangoes
• avocados
• figs
• dates

"Most importantly, mango is the best fruit to be mixed with milk. Milk should be purely combined with sweet and ripe fruits that are not acidic.
Avocado may be mixed with milk because of is creamy, buttery, and a little bit astringent. Dry fruits such as raisins, figs, and dates also work well when combined with milk," she added.