Tanvi on Food and Health: Beat the summer heat with these foods

Tanvi on Food and Health: Beat the summer heat with these foods

Beat the summer heat with these foods

The sun is shining fiercely, temperature is soaring high, perspiration level is at its peak - summer has come. Summer's fiery heat as a result encourages people to eat lightly, to support the healthy functioning of the body, especially the heart and the digestive system. The fact is that after all the goodies that we devour in winter, the Diwali laddoos, Christmas cakes and doughnuts and valentine cookies; we need to give our systems a break, and summer is the best time for it. If winter bounds and chains our movement, making us lazy and lethargic, summer makes us active and mobile. And hence it is the best time to burn those extra calories and also to detoxify our systems.

Summer is a great season to get started eating right and looking great. Drinking enough fresh water is absolutely necessary to keep your temperature regulated and your body functioning properly. A minimum of four to five liters of water per day is ideal, especially in hot weather. And if you exercise, be sure to drink several liters more depending on how much you sweat. In addition to drinking plenty of water, you can get the nutrients and electrolytes you need from the variety of potassium rich fruits and lightly salted nuts and seeds. However, when it comes to avoiding dehydration, any fluid will suffice except for caffeine containing beverages, like coffee, tea, and soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages. But there is one more fact lying behind it that this hottest season brings various illness and disorders like dry and hot skin, headache, nausea, dizziness, heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, fatigue, dehydration and stroke at the end along with it.

Here are some of the common summer vegetables and fruits that will help you in keeping your body hydrated, vibrant and cool and fight against various heat stroke related disorders.

Bitter gourd: Bitter gourd juice, famous as a natural cure for diabetes is beneficial for treating blood disorders like blood boils and itching due to blood impurity. It is also an effective cure for piles that gets aggravated in summers. It cures early stages of cholera that generally strikes in summer. But not more than two ounces of juice should be consumed daily, as it may cause abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Bottle Gourd: The bottle gourd is low in fat and cholesterol yet high in dietary fibre. It is excellent for light, low-cal diets, as well as for small children, people with digestive problems, diabetics and convalescents. Its high water content makes it very cooling. The cooked Bottle Gourd is cooling, calming, diuretic and easy to digest. It is also effective against constipation and other digestive disorders. Bottle gourd is very valuable in treating urinary disorders, for its importance in treating Blood pressure n Heart disorders. The Bottle Gourd juice is used in treatment of stomach acidity, indigestions and ulcers. A glass of lauki juice with a little salt added to it prevents excessive loss of sodium, quenches thirst & helps in preventing fatigue. excessive loss of sodium, satiating thirst and keeping you refreshed in summer. Juice from its leaves is good for jaundice.

Cucumber: Cucumber, famous for its cooling properties is an ideal food in summer. Fresh cucumber juice reduces heartburn and sooth acidic stomach. Its fresh juice, when applied on skin cures sunburns. Cucumber slices placed over eyes reduce puffiness and burning sensation. High in fiber and rich in water and minerals, cucumber is best for dieters and diabetics

Jack fruit: Called the treat of summer, this fruit rich in potassium, helps in the lowering of blood pressure. The extract of jackfruit root cures summer diarrhea. Its root also treats a number of skin ailments that trouble people in this season. Jackfruit root has been found to be beneficial for those suffering from asthma. The fruit has been found to have anti-ageing, antioxidant and anti-ulcer properties.
Yoghurt

Mangoes: Mango is effective in relieving clogged pores of the skin. Mango is high in antioxidant and low in carbohydrates. They help in digestion which is a major problem during summer months. Raw mango drink or aam panna, protects against sunstroke. Its high water content is helpful in summer.

Muskmelon: is effective in treating conditions like lack of appetite, Weight loss, Urinary tract infections, constipation, acidity and ulcer. It reduces heat in the body to a great extent, relieves tiredness, enhances appetite and is an effective laxative. Muskmelons are rich in potassium thus help in controlling blood pressure and other heart related troubles.

Pumpkins: Pumpkins are rich repositories of beta-carotene, calcium, potassium and fibre. In traditional medicine (Indian and Chinese), pumpkin is said to be cooling, diuretic and good for stomach upsets. It is thought to regulate blood sugar levels and help stimulate the pancreas — thus diabetics are advised to eat pumpkin.

Watermelon: The best way to naturally hydrate body, watermelon with more than 90% water content is rich in Vitamins A and C and high in antioxidants. The consumption of watermelon also helps heal faster as one of the amino acids found in it speeds up wound healing and aids in the process of cell division. But the white part of this fruit, which we unknowingly throw away, contains most of the nutrients. Though it is edible, we cut it away as it tastes bland. Watermelon sherbet is a cool and refreshing drink in hot summer months and has the ability to fight heat stroke when served with a few drops of mint juice.

Yoghurt: One of the easiest available foods and one that can be readily made at home, yoghurt can be mixed and made with almost anything. Add it to salads, to marinades and to smoothies, this calcium-rich milk product will add taste and health to your meals

Cure is not always the best word, for it comes after long suffering. Prevention scores better. Food can be healing and can do magic when taken at the right time in right quantities. So adding the blend of al above mentioned veggies and fruits will not only keep you cool whole summers but will also build up a good immune system to fight against various degenerative disorders like Diabetes, High Blood pressure etc.