Is summer causing digestive issues? These tips will help you reset your stomach

Your tongue may crave spicy or icy temperature foods but your digestive system may rebel against these kinds of foods during the summer season. Wonder why? Well, because your digestive health becomes very sensitive in this season. BSo how can you tackle digestive issues in summer?

Before we find the solutions, we should learn the reasons why summer causes digestive issues. To understand the cause, HealthShots spoke to Dr Mrudul Dharod, Gastroenterologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, Mumbai.

Why does summer affect your digestive system?

Summer may be pleasing for some people but not for all as some people experience digestive health-related issues during this weather! Summer can invite various digestive health issues. “Dehydration, heat exhaustion, stroke, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis, heartburn, acidity, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhoea, food poisoning, and loss of appetite are some of the worrisome problems that are seen when the days are hotter. It happens as the heat rises, it can make one’s digestive system may slow down and become weak.” You may also end up feeling bloated, nauseated and tired. Apart from this, jaundice is also commonly seen in people that symptoms include paleness, nausea, and hepatitis.

Tips to improve your digestive problems during summer:

1. Healthy eating

In summer, keep an eye on your regular diet because whatever you eat will have an impact on your digestive health. “Opt for stomach-friendly foods such as green vegetables, tomatoes, apples, watermelon, cucumber, and pineapple which will hydrate you. Moreover, fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and pulses should also be a part of your diet, suggested Dr Dharod.

Apart from this, remember that fiber is very essential if you want to keep your digestive health on track. When digestion will slow down due to summer heat, fibre will aid it by making digestion smooth and easy.

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2. Stay hydrated

Never ever leave yourself getting dehydrated. Hydration is really important to keep your body working. Drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration. This will help balance the loss of body fluids in heat as well as solve digestive issues by improving the absorption of nutrients. You can also drink coconut water to keep yourself hydrated. It can allow you to fight the hot weather effectively.

3. Avoid spicy or oily foods

Spicy foods produce heat and it can lead to digestive issues. So avoid spicy, fried, and junk foods that can lead to abdominal distress. These foods will raise the chances of acidity, bloating, and even the risk of stomach inflammation. So, bid adieu to pizza, pasta, fries, burger, bakery items, Chinese food, and chips. Remember that roadside food will lead to food poisoning.

4. Eat small frequent meals

Apart from eating the wrong foods, overeating can also result in indigestion. So always prefer eating in smaller quantities after regular intervals as recommended by the expert. Doing so can ease the digestion process. In fact, eating smaller portions of foods will not let you feel hungry and will keep digestion easy. Focus on eating light foods in summer.

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5. Avoid coffee

Avoid coffee, alcohol, and drinking other carbonated beverages that can lead to stomach irritation. You need to avoid such drinks because your body needs water for stools to absorb and these drinks can make your body dehydrated especially in summer season, making your digestion hard. So, try to avoid such drinks or consume in moderation in order to keep your digestive health in check.

6. Consume probiotics

Have digestive issues? If yes, tturn towards probiotics, because according to Dr Dharod, probiotics can contain gut-friendly bacteria and can ease the digestion process. Along with fiber, probiotics are also important for better digestive health. So, including yogurt in the diet can be beneficial for you because it is the best source of probiotics.

7. Exercise regularly

Exercise daily to improve your digestion and overall well-being. You can practice yoga, Tai Chi, deep breathing exercises, and walking.