Concept of Ahara W.S.R. incompatible foods: Ayurveda and modern perspective

Abstract

Samhita is considered as most important classical text of Ayurveda, used since 4th B.C. Samhita encompasses various concepts related to diseases and their treatment. Samhita offers different principles towards the maintenance of health status of whole mankind. These basic principles suggests us how to maintain good physical as well as mental status, rules of Samhita emphasizes different aspects related to diseases and their treatment. Ayurveda believe in prevention than cure therefore in this regards Ayurveda mentioned some pillars of life for healthy well being and Ahara is one of them. Ahara if consumed in proper manner then it will help to remain away from disease while inappropriate dietary pattern may lead pathological conditions. Considering Ahara as important aspect of healthy life further Ayurveda described termed “Viruddha-Ahara” which means incompatible foods responsible for pathological initiation. Incompatible food is one of the important concepts of medical science and it is believed that consumption of incompatible foods may lead various pathological manifestations. It is believed that opposite properties of wrong food combination, wrong processing, excess food consumption, consumption of food in wrong time and seasonal diversity may leads Viruddha-Ahara. Present article described ayurveda as well as modern perspective of Viruddha-Ahara/incompatible foods in a view to explore understanding of food originated diseases.
 Keywords: Ayurveda, Viruddha-Ahara, Incompatible foods, Samhita-Siddhant.