High fever, stroke, diarrhea, heart attack... These are all common illnesses in the summer. Experts explain that the harm to the human body from weather is multifaceted, including temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, and sunlight. These factors can act alone or combine to cause a series of functional disorders in the body's metabolism, endocrine system, and temperature regulation, leading to disease.
Appropriate consumption of sour foods in summer
In summer, excessive sweating easily leads to the loss of body fluids, so it's advisable to eat sour foods, such as tomatoes, lemons, strawberries, black plums, grapes, hawthorn, pineapple, mangoes, and kiwis. Their sourness can help reduce sweating, stop diarrhea, and expel dampness. It can prevent the depletion of vital energy and yin from excessive sweating, while also promoting the production of fluids to quench thirst and aiding digestion and stomach health.
Add vinegar to dishes
If you add vinegar to dishes, the acetic acid can also kill bacteria and prevent gastrointestinal diseases. When these various foods are scientifically combined and consumed, they can fully meet the nutritional needs of the heart and spleen.
Scientific cooling is a good health strategy to combat continuous high temperatures
Dr. Fu Shanlai, a health expert from Shanghai, recommends scientific cooling as an excellent health strategy to combat continuous high temperatures. The ideal temperature is to keep the indoor-outdoor temperature difference within 5°C to 7°C. The elderly and children have poor temperature regulation abilities and should try to avoid prolonged use of air conditioning. People who work and live in air-conditioned environments for long periods should wear a light jacket. People who work while sitting, especially women, can cover their knees with a bath towel. Do not chase a moment of coolness by sitting directly in front of a draft, as this can prevent harm to the body from low temperatures, which may lead to irregular menstruation, cervical spondylosis, or arthritis.
Drinking water is important, but don't overdo it
Under continuous high temperatures, replenishing water in a timely manner is crucial. Drinking water can maintain the body's adequate blood volume, reduce blood viscosity, expel toxins, and lessen the burden on the heart and kidneys. However, overconsumption should be avoided, as it not only dilutes gastric juice and reduces its ability to kill bacteria, but also absorbs too much water at once, increasing the burden on the heart and is detrimental to health. Generally, drink a glass of cool water after waking up in the morning, drink more tea and light salt water during the day, and aim for a daily intake of 6 to 8 glasses.
Comprehensive and balanced nutrition is most needed in summer
Comprehensive and balanced nutrition is most needed in summer. In high-temperature environments, the body's consumption of nutrients is quite significant. In addition to three meals a day, it's also important to supplement with extra vitamins C, B1, B2, A, and D from vegetables, fruits, and diet. People who lose a lot of calcium should also supplement with high-quality calcium preparations. Students and the elderly should especially maintain sufficient sleep and not stay up late. If possible, a nap can be taken.