Mixing fruits in your smoothie or salad might seem like a healthy habit—but not all combos are gut-friendly. Some fruits don’t play well together when it comes to digestion, and combining them can lead to bloating, gas, or even nutrient loss. Ayurveda and modern nutrition both warn against certain fruit pairings that can disrupt your digestive fire or confuse your gut bacteria. If you’ve ever felt uneasy after a “healthy” fruit bowl, the mix might be to blame. Here’s a look at six fruit combinations you should avoid—and why your stomach might thank you for keeping them separate.

Example: Oranges and bananas, strawberries and raisins
This is the most common mistake. Acidic and sub-acidic fruits like oranges, strawberries, and apples digest faster, while sweet fruits like bananas and figs take longer. Mixing the two can cause fermentation in the stomach, leading to gas, bloating, and even acidosis. It's like throwing two logs of different burning speeds into the same fire — they just don’t burn evenly.

Starchy fruits + High-protein fruits

Example: Green bananas and avocados

Starches need an alkaline digestive environment, while proteins require acid. Put them together, and you create a biochemical traffic jam. Your digestive system is forced to multitask in a way it’s not designed to, which can result in indigestion, nutrient malabsorption, and fatigue.

Melons + Any other fruit

Example: Watermelon and apples
Melons digest the fastest among fruits due to their high water content. When mixed with slower-digesting fruits like apples or pears, they often ferment in the stomach. This can cause bloating, nausea, and even diarrhea. Melons should always be eaten alone — “eat them, or leave them alone” is a popular mantra in natural health circles.

Papaya + Lemon

While papaya is known for its digestive enzymes, pairing it with lemon can disrupt your body’s pH balance. The acidic nature of lemon clashes with papaya’s alkaline profile, potentially leading to stomach discomfort or acid reflux. This mix is especially risky for children or people with sensitive digestion.

Guava + Banana

Though both are rich in nutrients, guava and banana make for a troubled digestive pair.

The high fiber content in guava combined with banana’s starchy texture can lead to bloating and acidity. Over time, this could irritate the gut lining and impair nutrient absorption.