Curd is a household staple and is super nutritious. According to the study published in Advances in Nutrition 2017, it has calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin B12 which is good for bones, digestion and immunity. But we need to be careful how we team curd with other foods. One such bad combination is curd with onions. Although both are used in many dishes including curries, eating them together is not ideal.
Ayurveda says curd and onion have opposite properties, curd is cooling and onion is heating. This combination can cause digestive imbalance and can lead to bloating, indigestion or even skin problems over time. Though it may be tempting to add both in your recipes, especially in curries, it is better to avoid this combination. Instead enjoy curd with rice, fruits or even lentils for a balanced meal that is good for overall health.
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Being aware of how foods interact can add to the nutritional benefits and your overall well-being in the long run.
Reasons For Not Combining Onion And Curd
Gastric Issues
Onions have compounds that increase acidity and gas in the stomach. Consuming in excess can cause discomfort. Curd is good for digestion but can have a similar effect in some cases especially when had with onions. As per a study published by Ayurveda 2012, the combination of these two can cause gastric issues like bloating, gas and even indigestion in some. This discomfort is mainly due to the increased acidity and gas when both are consumed together so this combination is not ideal for those who have digestive issues.
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Body Temperature Regulation
One of the biggest concerns with onion and curd is their opposing effect on body temperature. Curd is a cooling food while onions are warming due to their sulphur content. When consumed together this combination can disrupt the body’s natural temperature regulation and increase internal heat. According to a study published by Ayurveda 2012, this imbalance can cause skin issues like rashes, eczema and even more severe conditions like psoriasis. The rise in body heat can also aggravate existing skin allergies and make you feel uncomfortable especially those who are sensitive to temperature changes.
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Digestive Issues
Curd is made by fermenting milk with a bacterial culture so it’s rich in probiotics that help in digestion, especially in breaking down lactose. According to a study published in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research in 2021, onions have sulphur and fibre compounds that can interfere with the fermentation process. When had with curd these sulphur compounds can inhibit the action of good bacteria and affect digestion negatively. This can cause digestive issues like bloating, gas and slow digestion. For those with sensitive digestive systems, this combination can be very uncomfortable.
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Skin Allergies
As per a study published in Ayurveda 2012 onions and curd together can produce excess heat in the body and cause an imbalance that leads to increased toxins. This excess heat can cause skin allergies like rashes, eczema and even psoriasis in severe cases. The toxin buildup can even cause food poisoning in extreme cases, especially for those with pre-existing digestive or skin issues. This reaction is due to the opposing properties of the two foods when combined can create an environment in the body that can cause skin issues and other health problems.
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How To Add Onion To Curd Safely
If you love the taste of onion and curd together, there is a way to enjoy this combination safely. Frying onions reduces the reactive sulphur compounds in them, so they would not interfere with the benefits of curd. Frying the onions neutralises the elements that can cause discomfort, so you can enjoy this combination without any side effects. Once the onions are fried, you can add them to curd and enjoy a tasty dish.