Are Tomato and Cucumber a Bad Food Combination? Ayurveda Weighs In

For years, the classic pairing of tomatoes and cucumbers has been a staple in salads, raitas, and various dishes. However, according to Ayurveda, this seemingly healthy combination might not be as beneficial as once believed. Ayurveda introduces the concept of ‘virudh anna,’ suggesting that certain food combinations can disrupt the body’s natural balance. Each food item possesses unique characteristics, tastes (rasa), heating or cooling energy (virya), and post-digestive effects (vipaka). When foods with different natures or digestion speeds are combined, they can create a “traffic jam” in the digestive system, potentially leading to negative health effects.

While both cucumbers and tomatoes individually offer hydration and essential nutrients, combining them may not be ideal. Cucumbers contain properties that can interfere with vitamin C absorption, and when combined with the vitamin C-rich tomatoes, it may upset the body’s acidic pH balance. According to Ayurvedic expert Vasant Lad, poor food combining can lead to indigestion, fermentation, putrefaction, gas formation, and, if prolonged, even toxaemia and other diseases. Despite these warnings, completely omitting one from the salad bowl might be impractical. Ayurveda suggests starting the meal with grated ginger and rock salt to stimulate digestive juices, adding salt to the salad for better digestion, and emphasizing thorough chewing to enhance the digestion process. As Ayurveda emphasizes, understanding food combinations is crucial for maintaining overall health.