Banana and Milk: Why You Should Never Consume These Two Things Together?

Banana milkshake or banana milk is one the most appealing breakfast or snack time menu for many of us. Moreover, milk and banana is our favorite childhood combination. But as per experts, banana and milk together may not be the best combination while separately, both are extremely nutritious and can do wonder.

As per Ayurveda, banana and milk are not an ideal combination and advised not to consume together. Let know which one is the myth and which has been scientifically proven for health benefits. Let’s explore whether we should go for it or just avoid it.

Banana and Milk-Two Different Entity Altogether

Nutrition of Milk

Composition-Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals, Riboflavin, calcium and vitamin B 12

Milk is enriched with proteins, vitamins, and minerals like riboflavin, calcium and vitamin B 12. Per 100 grams of milk contains 42 calories. However, the old saying of ‘milk being a complete meal’ does not stand true as it lacks vital vitamins vitamin C, dietary fiber and very less carbohydrate. Since we are a vegetarian nation, we struggle to complete our protein requirement on a daily basis and milk can majorly help you in this regard.

Nutrition of Banana

Composition- Vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin C, dietary fiber, potassium, and biotin

Banana, on the other hand, is loaded with vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin C, dietary fiber, potassium, and biotin. Every 100 grams of this sweet fruit contains 89 calories, hence heavy on the stomach which makes us feel fuller for a longer time and charges our lost energy. High in carbohydrates, bananas are often considered a great pre-and post-workout snack.

What Happens when Banana and Milk Come Together?

As per expert Dietitian and Psychologist Harish Kumar, this is what he had to say, "We do not recommend this combination as it may prove to be very harmful to the body. Even if you want to consume them, you can first take the milk and after 20 minutes, eat a banana. You must also avoid banana milkshake as it hinders the digestion process and disturbs your sleeping pattern.

Disturbs digestion

As per science, consuming banana and milk together not only disturbs our digestive system as it is heavy but also disrupts our sinus. This leads to sinus congestion, cold & cough and other allergies like rashes on the body. Therefore, while many believe that consuming the two together may sort out our digestive problems, it would rather lead to vomiting and loose motions in the long run.

What Ayurveda is saying? 

As per Ayurveda, every food has its own taste (rasa), post-digestive effect (vipaka) and a heating or cooling energy (virya). Therefore, an individual's Agni or gastric fire determines how well or poorly the food is digested, and the right food combinations are of great importance. Ayurveda strictly puts milk and banana in the list of the most incompatible foods.

As per Ayurveda experts, "It is a bad combination and is known as Viruddh Aahar (incompatible combinations). It generates Ama, a toxic substance that is the root cause of imbalance and diseases in the body. It douses the digestive fire hence disrupting the intestinal flora. It also causes congestion, cold, cough, rashes and allergies. It creates a negative reaction in the body, generates additional water, blocks body channel, and contributes to heart diseases, vomiting and loose. 

According to the book The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies, A Comprehensive Guide to the Ancient Healing of India by Vasant Lad, combinations of fruits and milk are to be avoided strictly.

What’s the Best Way to Eat?

You need to remember that the best way to consume banana and milk is separately. If you wish to consume this as a pre-workout or post-workout snack, then eat the banana after 20 minutes of consuming milk. Or you can add banana to your yogurt recipes if you really wish to consume it with a dairy product.