- Generally, fruits are nutritious and healthy for the body, but not all fruits can be mixed
- The combination of some fruits poses a risk to the health and safety of a person
- TheRadar compiled ten fruits that nutritionists and medical experts have advised consumers not to mix
Fruits are very nutritious and healthy for the body. Fruits are a source of essential vitamins and minerals for the body, and they are rich in fibre. They also provide health-boosting antioxidants, including flavonoids.
Eating fruits helps to reduce and prevent the risk of developing some health issues like heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and diabetes.
The sweet taste of fruits makes it tempting to mix with others. However, not every fruit can be mixed as they pose a risk of harm to the health. Knowing this information helps you stay healthy and teaches you how to effectively combine your fruits for healthy results.
TheRadar provides a list of 10 fruits that cannot be mixed and the reasons it is not advisable to mix them.
10 fruits you cannot mix and why
1. Melons and other fruits
Melons like Watermelon are good fruits, but they should not be mixed with other fruits. It is recommended by medical experts to avoid mixing watermelons, muskmelons, cantaloupe, and honeydrops with other fruits. According to Dr Swathi Reddy, “Melons should only be eaten with melons as they are digested more rapidly than other fruits. Melons have high water content, so they might not digest properly when combined with fruits,”
It is advisable to enjoy melons and other fruits separately or at an interval of at least 30 minutes.
2. Acidic fruits and sweet fruits
Mixing acidic and sweet fruits can lead to health conditions such as digestive problems, nausea, acidosis, and headaches. Acidic and sub-acidic fruits include oranges, lemons, grapefruits, strawberries, apples, pomegranates, and peaches, while sweet fruits include bananas and raisins.
3. Starchy fruits and high-protein fruits
The combination of starchy fruits and high-protein fruits can be dangerous because the body needs an acidic base to digest proteins and an alkaline base to break starches. Starchy fruits include green bananas and plantains, while high-protein fruits include guava, dried apricot, avocado, and blackberries.
4. Papaya and lemon
It is better to avoid the combination of papaya and lemon; the mixture of the two poses risks of anaemia or haemoglobin imbalance. In addition, Dr Reddy stated that it can be really dangerous for children, so try to avoid the mixture of these fruits.
5. Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables digest differently in the body. Fruits digest more quickly than vegetables, and many nutritionists say that they are partially digested by the time they reach the stomach. Also, fruits contain more sugar content than vegetables, which may hinder the digestive process of vegetables.
6. Orange and carrot
The combination of carrots and oranges can be very dangerous as it can cause heartburn and kidney damage to the body.
7. Guava and banana
This combination increases the risk of acidosis, nausea, gas buildup, and persistent headaches. Nutritionists advise to not combine guava and bananas.
8. Acidic fruits and dairy
Mixing acidic fruits with dairy products, such as yoghurt, milk, or cheese, can pose a risk to digestion. The acidity of fruits can clot the proteins in dairy, making it difficult to digest and potentially leading to occurrences like bloating or gas.
This combination is particularly important for individuals with lactose intolerance or dairy sensitivities, as it may exacerbate symptoms. However, nutritionists recommend that acidic fruits and diaries be consumed separately or at some intervals.
9. Cucumber and tomato
According to Nutritionist and Dietician Tanya S Kapoor, in his “Wellness by Tanya”, he said, "Cucumbers are enriched with nutrients that help in keeping you hydrated. However, cucumber, too, has a property that interferes with the absorption of Vitamin C. Thus, most of the time, the combination of cucumber and tomato is advised to be avoided. Another reason is that they both have a completely different way of digestion, Hence, they must not be consumed together as this combination can lead to acid formation and bloating.“ Therefore, it is advisable to avoid the combination of cucumber and tomato.
10. Pineapple and milk
Pineapple contains a compound called bromelain, which can cause health issues in the body when mixed with milk. It can lead to stomach aches, gas, nausea, headaches, and infections.
6 fruits that can help you gain weight naturally
Meanwhile, TheRadar previously wrote about fruits that can help people gain weight naturally. Even though fruits are not usually the first group of foods that comes to mind when trying to gain weight, they can provide the extra calories your body needs to gain weight, especially nutrient-dense fruits.
Some of these fruits that can help you gain weight naturally include bananas, avocados, mangoes, guavas, coconuts, and dates.
