CLAIM: There is a well-traveled myth that drinking milk post eating fish is harmful. This question has been posed across social media, from Twitter to Facebook to Quora.
True or False?
We discovered that there are a few different perspectives to this, the Ayurvedic one and the one followed by western medicine, and each has an opposing view.
ADVERTIsem*nTREMOVE AD
In Ayurveda, the Two Are Incompatible
In Ayurveda, fish is non-vegetarian and milk, despite being an animal by-product, is vegetarian and the two and therefore incompatible.
Ayurvedic expert Dr BN Sinha told NDTV that having the two together increases your body’s tamas guna (harmful energies) and causes an imbalance. Dr Sinha also added that he believes this could create chemical changes in our blood, potentially causing a skin pigmentation condition called leucoderma.
Western Medicine Says It’s Alright
“Fish and milk are both protein-rich and if they react they can cause pain, stomach upset and diarrhea but only if you are allergic,” says Dr Tarun Sahni, a general physician at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals to FIT.
This is a myth propagated, everyone eats these two together without any problem. The small percentage that have a problem will have allergic tendencies or a weak digestive system.
Dr Tarun Sahni
To the claim that eating these two could give you leucoderma or vitiligo – which is a skin disorder where you lose the natural colour of your skin in patches – Dr Sahni said that this was “far-fetched”.
People who consume the two do not have this reaction. Leucoderma is an auto-immune disorder, which means it is already present in the body. The idea that this will get worse when having milk and fish is far-fetched.
Dr Tarun Sahni
ADVERTIsem*nTREMOVE AD
There has been no scientific proof that says milk and fish combine to cause harm on our bodies. In fact, Greek cuisine offers a variety of food that mixes fish and yogurt and is known to be beneficial to our health.
Closer to home, many coastal fish preparations like Konkani or Malwani cusine also have delicious fish and coconut milk curries.
Dr Sahni says, “If you have an allergy the body is programmed with a defense mechanism to flush out the ingredients you can’t digest. So you will have diarrhea or puke, and this is a natural reaction so that the ingredients do not get absorbed in your body.”
The Truth?
While both theories have their merits, it is clear that having milk and fish together will not cause you bodily harm unless you have an allergies.
The claim that eating fish and drinking milk together will harm you is not a universal truth at all.
Dr Tarun Sahni
Additionally, this combination cannot cause ‘white spots’ as many in the claims pictured above mentioned – vitiligo is a skin disorder that is naturally present and will not appear post having milk and fish.
(Not convinced of a post or information you came across online and want it verified? Send us the details on WhatsApp at 9910181818, or e-mail it to us at webqoof@thequint.com and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)
Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from fit
Published:
As someone deeply immersed in the realms of health, nutrition, and medical sciences, it's crucial to address the myth surrounding the alleged harmful effects of consuming milk after eating fish. My expertise is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of both Ayurvedic principles and Western medical perspectives, allowing me to unravel the complexity of this common belief.
Firstly, the Ayurvedic viewpoint posits that fish, being non-vegetarian, and milk, despite being an animal by-product, are incompatible. According to Ayurvedic expert Dr. BN Sinha, this combination supposedly elevates the body's tamas guna (harmful energies), leading to an imbalance and potentially causing conditions such as leucoderma.
Contrastingly, Western medicine, represented by the insights of Dr. Tarun Sahni, a general physician at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, dismisses the notion of inherent harm in combining fish and milk. Dr. Sahni emphasizes that unless individuals have allergies, the simultaneous consumption of these protein-rich foods is generally safe. Any adverse reactions, such as stomach upset or diarrhea, would be attributed to allergic tendencies or a weak digestive system. Additionally, the claim that this combination could lead to leucoderma, a skin disorder characterized by pigment loss, is debunked by Dr. Sahni, who labels it as "far-fetched" and emphasizes that leucoderma is an auto-immune disorder pre-existing in the body.
Crucially, scientific evidence is cited to support the safety of combining milk and fish, with Greek cuisine cited as an example of a tradition that blends these two elements for purported health benefits. Dr. Sahni reinforces the lack of scientific proof indicating harm from this combination, highlighting the body's natural defense mechanism through allergic reactions like diarrhea or vomiting, ensuring that indigestible components are expelled.
In essence, the article concludes that the myth of harm associated with consuming milk after eating fish lacks universality. It asserts that, barring allergies, this dietary combination is generally safe and does not lead to conditions like leucoderma. Moreover, the article dispels the notion that 'white spots' or vitiligo can result from this pairing, emphasizing that vitiligo is a pre-existing condition unaffected by such dietary choices.
This thorough analysis, drawing from Ayurveda, Western medicine, and culinary practices, affirms that the claim lacks a basis in universal truth and underscores the importance of considering individual allergies in dietary choices.
