A refreshing bowl of raita has all our hearts and we love experimenting with the humble recipe. By now, you surely have tried multiple variations, with pineapple raita being one of the favourites on the list. Right? Sweet pineapple, chopped and mixed with dahi, chaat masala and black pepper, the dish adds a burst of flavour to your palate. But did you know, pineapple, with dahi, is not a great combination to have? While both pineapple and dahi have their individual benefits, having them together might affect your health negatively.
Does that mean you give up on your favourite raita altogether? The answer is, no! Experts state, if you prepare it right, pineapple raita can be enjoyed guilt-free. But first, let's explain to you what is going wrong in your pineapple raita recipe and how to fix it.
Also Read: Pineapple Diet: Fad Or Fabulous?
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Can You Have Pineapple And Dahi Together? Does Pineapple React With Dahi?
According to Ayurveda, pineapple and dahi together become 'virudh anna' - a food pairing that is considered incompatible. Such food pairings are said to create an imbalance between vata, pitta and kapha, leading to several health issues.
According to studies, pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which is known to breakdown the animal protein by cutting its amino acid chains. Here, bromelain cuts casein, the main protein in dairy products, spoiling the food altogether.
Why Is Pineapple Raita Considered Bad For Health? Side-Effects Of Having Pineapple And Dahi Together:
1. Leads to indigestion:
Raita is generally considered great for digestion. But when you add an acidic fruit to it, the dish may turn toxic, leading to several digestive issues, including acidity and heartburn.
2. Imbalance in bowel movement:
Improper digestion and metabolism can also make you feel bloated and lead to irregular bowel movements.
3. Increase oxidative stress and inflammation:
An unhealthy gut directly affects the oxygen flow in the body, producing toxins and stress in the body. This might also affect the blood flow in the cells, leading to inflammation.
4. Skin problems:
As mentioned earlier, an unhealthy gut creates oxidative stress in the body, affecting the blood flow in cells. These factors might directly affect our skin and you may experience the growth of pimples, acne and other such irritation.
Also Read: Eating Dahi Every Day? Stop Pairing It With These Foods Right Now
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What Is The Right Way To Add Pineapple In Dahi And Other Dairy Products?
To have pineapple with dairy products, you need first heat or cook the fruit well. According to a study, published in The Biochemical Journal, bromelain in pineapple is a heat-sensitive enzyme, meaning, it gets inactive when set on flame, preventing it from breaking casein in dairy products.
How To Make Pineapple Raita Properly?
To make pineapple raita that doesn't affect our health negatively, you need to first cut the fruit into cubes and roast in oven or on high flame, until it turns soft (not mushy). Then whisk a bowl of yogurt until it turns creamy and add the roasted pineapples to it. Add salt, sugar and spices of your choice and give a final mix. Garnish with some pineapple cubes, mint leaves and serve chilled. Click here for the detailed recipe.
Now that you know the right way to include pineapple in your raita, we say, prepare it today and enjoy with your next meal. But remember, excess of everything is bad for health.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.