Trophology

Trophology is a pseudoscience that proposes dietary principles based on the idea of food combining. Proponents believe that different types of food digest at different rates and require different enzymes, and that consuming incompatible foods together can lead to digestive issues, fermentation, and putrefaction in the stomach. These issues are claimed to cause a variety of ailments.

The core tenets of trophology suggest that foods should be grouped and eaten separately. Common recommendations include eating fruits alone, particularly acidic fruits separately from alkaline fruits. Another principle is to avoid eating starches and proteins together, as they are thought to require different digestive conditions. Sugars are also often advised to be consumed alone, or at least not with starches or proteins.

Scientific consensus does not support the claims of trophology. The human digestive system is equipped to handle mixed meals, producing a cocktail of enzymes and acids that can effectively break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats simultaneously. The body's regulatory mechanisms are robust and designed to adapt to varying food combinations. The concept of fermentation and putrefaction occurring in the stomach due to food combining is not supported by biological understanding, as the stomach's acidic environment is hostile to most bacteria that would cause such processes. While some individuals report feeling better when following trophological principles, this is often attributed to increased awareness of food intake, potentially reducing overeating, or the elimination of certain trigger foods, rather than the specific rules of food combining.