For centuries, foods have been labeled as dangerous, mysterious, or simply weird. One example of an ancient kitchen legend is that the combination of fish and milk can cause skin illness, more specifically vitiligo—a condition that results in loss of pigmentation in the skin. Is this just another myth, or is there any scientific evidence to back it up? Let’s find out.
The Origins of the Myth
This belief is common in South Asia and Middle East, where Ayurvedic tradition says that some foods, taken together, will disrupt the balance of the body. Combining fish (which is "hot" in nature) with milk products (which are "cooling") is claimed to form toxins within the body, which are said to cause skin problems such as vitiligo—a condition in which patches of skin lose their color.
But Ayurveda, as much as it's worth in terms of holistic well-being, can't quite substantiate the science behind this argument.
What Does Science Say?
Here's the truth: there is no scientific evidence to indicate that eating fish and dairy products together causes vitiligo—or any other skin ailment, for that matter. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks its pigment cells (melanocytes) by mistake. It has genetic, environmental, and possibly autoimmune causes, but your fish-and-milk meal is not one of them.
No clinical data have ever implicated this food combination in depigmentation disorders. In fact, much of the world's cuisine, including Scandinavian and Mediterranean diets, involves combining fish and dairy. If this combination is so risky, shouldn't we have a global vitiligo epidemic on our hands by now?
Could There Be Any Basis to This?
The only possible problem might be digestion-related. A few individuals might have bloating or slight discomfort while eating fish and dairy together, but that is more of an individual lactose intolerance or sensitivity issue rather than a dastardly skin condition waiting to pounce.
So, the next time someone cautions you against the perils of combining seafood and dairy, go ahead and treat them to a creamy salmon pasta while informing them that their warning is merely an old wives' tale. Your skin—and your meal—will be perfectly fine!
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