World Health Day 2018: How to Keep Your Gut Healthy this Summer
Your lifestyle in summer says a lot about your digestive health. It is crucial that we focus more on our diet and how often we eat including the portion size to avoid poor digestion in summer.
During summers it is common to have digestion related problems. Our metabolism changes and therefore it becomes difficult to digest foods that are high in fat. Most people even suffer from problems such as dehydration, heartburn, indigestion and diarrhoea which further makes it difficult to deal with the summer heat. You end up eating less and napping more during the season. Your lifestyle in summer says a lot about your digestive health. It is crucial that we focus more on our diet and how often we eat including the portion size to avoid poor digestion in summer. Here are some tips to keep your gut healthy this summer season.
Eat Less: Since the digestive system become sensitive in summer, one should avoid eating more. This does not mean you should reduce your appetite but rather avoid heavy meals. It is advisable to eat small, low-fat meals. Eating in short intervals will be easy on your digestive system and will keep you from feeling hungry as well. Consume more of green vegies and fresh juicy fruits that are easy to digest. Also, reduce intake of spicy and fried foods as they increase gas problems and indigestion. Regular exercise is also highly recommended. Don’t let the heat be the reason for your sedentary lifestyle.
Hydration: This is a golden rule that everyone must follow specially to get you through the scorching heat of the summers. One cannot stress enough that keeping yourself hydrated is extremely crucial. Fibre present in the body pulls water into the colon and helps the body in creating softer and bulier stools. This makes the passage of stools easier without causing fissures or piles. If you find drink water is boring, then you can flavour to your water. Add slices of cucumber, lemon or orange to give taste to your water and it will keep the liquid fresh. Drink sensibly though. Don’t gulp glass after glass as it may cause you to swallow air leading to bloating and gas.
Include probiotics: Probiotics is gut health no-brainer. It is a beneficial bacterium specifically designed to help digestion. A probiotic supplement can help undo the harsh microbiome wipe-out caused by antibiotics you’ve taken in the past, bringing your gut back into balance. Papaya and pineapple are two fruits that work wonders for your gut as they help boost gut microbes by providing them fibre. Papaya contains naturally anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and healing properties, while the bromelain in pineapples helps keep candida at bay.
Eat Yogurt: Yogurt is packed with proteins. It gives you probiotics, bacteria that makes your digestives process better. Consuming yogurt provides relief from stomach problems like dysentery. The more unprocessed, the better the amount and quality of good bacteria. Have it with your breakfast and lunch or as a snack or dessert.
Herbs improve digestion: Herbs like coriander, fennel seeds, cilantro and ginger are considered good for digestion. These herbs absorb gases, reduce stress and help blood flow to the digestive system.
Limit caffeine: Excessive intake of coffee may trouble smooth functioning of your digestive system and lead to problems like stomach ulcers, acidity and heartburn.
It is recommended to avoid eating food from outside during summers. Carry your own water whenever stepping out of the house. Contaminated water from outside can trigger typhoid, a water-borne disease which is seen commonly during summers. Always eat freshly prepared food that will help stave off the risk of infection. Follow these tips for a healthy gut this summer season.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 06, 2018 07:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).