In summer, when temperatures rise and place your body under significant stress from excessive sweating, exposure to the sun, and dehydration, diet serves as an excellent tool to fight the heat. Your food choices can safeguard you from the inside, helping maintain your hydration and health. This may also make the summer more enjoyable for you, allowing you to stay fit and nimble.

Foods are categorized into acidic and alkaline diets, and selecting one while steering clear of the other is where the crucial difference exists between fully enjoying summer and just getting by during the season.

Sippy Taneja, Chief Dietician at Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, described how an alkaline-rich diet can help you remain cool this summer, whereas acidic diets should be strictly avoided.

What comprises an alkaline diet?

Sippy described the fundamentals and advantages of an alkaline diet, “Alkaline foods tend to be favored over acidic ones during the summer due to their inherent cooling effects. These consist of fruits, leafy greens, sprouts, legumes, and nuts, which not only provide hydration to the body but also aid in lowering internal heat. They play a role in sustaining an optimal pH balance, which is moderately alkaline, enhancing overall health and minimizing the risk of inflammation, dehydration, and tiredness. It’s crucial to recognize that while the body automatically adjusts its pH, the foods we consume can affect the efficiency of this process. Making careful dietary selections, particularly in a season as challenging as summer, can significantly impact how we feel. ”

The dietitian additionally outlined the foods that are part of this alkaline diet:

Fruits: Watermelon, mango, papaya, lemons, limes, oranges, apples, bananas, avocados

Vegetables: Spinach, kale, cucumbers, zucchini, broccoli, carrots, beets

Legumes and sprouts: Lentils, chickpeas, mung beans, alfalfa sprouts

Nuts and seeds: Almonds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds

Whole grains: Quinoa, millet, amaranth, brown rice

Herbs and spices: Ginger, turmeric, parsley, cilantro

In light of Sippy’s observations, it’s apparent why an alkaline diet is beneficial, especially considering one might experience digestive troubles like bloating in extreme heat. A wholesome diet can help ease these problems and make your summer more relaxed.

Why steer clear of an acidic diet this summer?

An acidic diet may contribute to your discomfort this summer, as Sippy remarked, "Conversely, acidic foods, including processed items, refined sugars, dairy products like butter and cheese, red meat, and alcohol, can boost acid production in the body. In warm weather, this might intensify problems like indigestion, bloating, and dehydration, causing the body to feel heavier and more lethargic. Acidic foods can elevate the body’s acid load, particularly when ingested in large amounts.

Here are several foods Sippy mentioned that are part of an acidic diet, making it even more crucial to exercise caution with them and consume them in moderation when needed:

Animal Products: Red meat, butter, cheese, eggs

Processed and packaged foods: Chips, snacks, fast food, frozen meals

Refined sugars: Candies, soft drinks, pastries

Beverages: Alcohol, coffee, energy drinks

Condiments: Soy sauce, vinegar-heavy dressings, ketchup

Read Also: Hot Weather, Healthy Teeth: Surgeon-Approved Oral Care Advice for Summer

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!