NEW DELHI: When it comes to gut health, even familiar foods can behave in unexpected ways. Apples are widely seen as a light, wholesome fruit, while milk is often considered nourishing and comforting. But according to Ayurveda, combining the two may not be as digestive-friendly as it seems.
Ayurvedic health coach Dimple Jangda recently explained on Instagram why mixing apples with milk—most commonly in the form of a milkshake—can disrupt digestion and lead to long-term gut discomfort.
HOW AYURVEDA UNDERSTANDS FOOD
Ayurveda evaluates food using four key principles: rasa, virya, vipaka, and guna.
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Rasa refers to taste.
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Virya indicates whether a food has a heating or cooling effect on the body.
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Vipaka describes the post-digestive effect that influences metabolism.
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Guna refers to the inherent quality of a food, such as whether it is heavy or light.
According to Jangda, understanding these principles helps explain why certain food combinations work harmoniously, while others place stress on the digestive system.
WHY APPLES AND MILK DON’T MIX WELL
Although apples feel refreshing, they are considered heating in nature and have a sour and astringent taste. Milk, on the other hand, is sweet, cooling, and heavy. Their opposing properties create digestive friction when consumed together.
Apples are light and begin digesting quickly, starting in the mouth with the help of salivary enzymes. Milk, however, contains complex proteins like casein and lactose, which require more time and stomach acids to break down.
Once milk reaches the stomach, it naturally reacts with hydrochloric acid and curdles into a semi-solid form. This slow curdling supports gradual protein digestion. However, when apple is mixed with milk, the fruit’s natural acids—such as citric and malic acid—accelerate this curdling process unnaturally. The result is an undigested residue that the body struggles to process efficiently.
WHAT HAPPENS INSIDE THE GUT
Because apples digest faster than milk, their sugars begin fermenting quickly and move into the small intestine. Milk, meanwhile, remains in the stomach longer. This difference in digestive timing can lead to symptoms such as bloating, gas, heaviness, and flatulence.
According to Jangda, regularly consuming incompatible food combinations like apple milkshakes can weaken digestive fire, slow metabolism, and increase mucus formation in the body. Over time, this may contribute to issues such as frequent colds, sinus congestion, cough, and even certain skin conditions.
Importantly, the absence of immediate discomfort does not mean the combination is harmless. Ayurveda suggests that long-term effects may include sluggish digestion and delayed gastric emptying, even if symptoms are subtle at first.
A BETTER WAY TO CONSUME APPLES AND MILK
From an Ayurvedic perspective, apples and milk are both beneficial—just not together. An apple eaten on its own supports digestion with fiber and gentle heat, while milk consumed separately nourishes the body, cools the system, and provides essential proteins and fats.
Spacing these foods apart allows the digestive system to process each one efficiently, without conflict. Ayurveda emphasizes that how and when we eat is just as important as what we eat. Separating apples from milk is a simple dietary adjustment that may support better digestion, reduced discomfort, and long-term gut health.
