What the texts say
The line is part of the Ashtanga Hridaya's list of incompatible foods (viruddha ahara). It names the pair and gives no reason. Sushruta (Sutra 20.13) also lists chicken and curd among foods not to be eaten together.[1][2]
The modern view
We found no study of people eating curd with chicken. The search was not fully screened, so a study may exist that we missed.
Classical text only
Questions people ask
Does the rule include chicken marinated in curd?
The verse does not say. It names chicken with curd and makes no distinction between a marinade and curd served alongside.[1]
Related
Meat and honey
Charaka says not to eat the meat of domestic, marsh or water animals together with honey. No study we found tests the rule.
FoodMeat and radish (mooli)
Charaka lists radish among the foods not to eat together with the meat of domestic, marsh or water animals. No study we found tests it.
FoodMilk with meat
Charaka says not to eat meat and milk together. He sets no waiting time after meat, and no study we found has tested it.
FoodBanana and curd (kela aur dahi)
The Ashtanga Hridaya and Sushruta list banana with curd among incompatible foods. No study we found has tested the pair in people.
Sources
- Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra Sthana 7.33, GRETIL e-text.
- Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana 20.13, NIIMH e-text.
Awaiting review by The Good Vaidya Medical Board. Prepared from the sources below and checked against each one.
Published 4 November 2026 · Last updated 4 November 2026