Nutrition for Summer Solstice: Balanced Intake and Alkaline Foods
As the Summer Solstice arrives, our diet can no longer follow the "menu" for autumn and winter. Otherwise, it may lead to deficiencies and imbalances in certain nutrients, affecting normal physiological functions such as nerve regulation and immune regulation, and triggering related diseases. During the height of summer, in addition to paying attention to food hygiene and preventing intestinal infectious diseases, how should we approach this "nutrition guide"? Experts say: "Mastering the three-character mantra of 'Balance, Alkaline, and Water' is the key!"
Balance: Balanced Nutrient Intake
Experts explain that in the hot summer, the body sweats a lot, leading to significant loss of water and minerals. At the same time, increased physical activity means higher energy demands compared to winter. Therefore, attention should be paid to two aspects of balanced dietary nutrition:
First, the balance of various nutrients. For most people, as long as they avoid being picky eaters and pay attention to pairing meat with vegetables, and coarse grains with refined grains in their diet, comprehensive and balanced intake of protein, vitamins B, E, C, carbohydrates, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc can generally be achieved, preventing nutritional imbalances. In particular, eating more seasonal fruits and vegetables is good for vitamin and mineral intake. At the same time, the summer diet should be light, with less greasy and fatty food.
Second, the balance of intake and output. The secret to summer eating is also the principle of balancing intake and output. The body needs to replenish as many calories as it consumes. Insufficient calories will lower bodily functions, while excessive intake will lead to fat accumulation and obesity, which is detrimental to health. Similarly, with increased physical activity and旺盛 physiological functions in summer, the consumption of protein, vitamins, and minerals also increases. This requires understanding which components you lack and making targeted dietary and nutritional supplement additions.
Alkaline: Eat More Alkaline Foods
According to experts, the human body's normal pH value should be maintained between 7.3 and 7.4, which is slightly alkaline. If the body's pH value remains below 7.3 for an extended period, it will lead to an acidic constitution, placing the body in a sub-health state. This manifests as physical discomfort, fatigue, listlessness, lack of energy, and decreased resistance. If this condition is not corrected in time, the body's health will be seriously damaged, leading to serious diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
It should be reminded that in summer, human metabolism is vigorous, and more acidic waste is produced in the body than in winter and spring. Therefore, special attention should be paid to one thing: eat more alkaline foods to maintain the body's normal weak alkalinity. Alkaline foods here do not refer to their own acidic-alkaline nature, but to those that become alkaline after being metabolized in the human body. For example, fruits contain fruit acid and are acidic, but they become alkaline after being broken down in the human body, which is the alkaline food we need.
Alkaline beverages include fresh vegetable juices and most fresh fruit juices. Alkaline foods include all vegetables and most fruits. Besides increasing the body's alkalinity, they also supply various nutrients, including multiple vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, and fiber, making them very worthy of eating more in the summer. On the other hand, drinks like cola and various sodas, alcoholic beverages, milk and various dairy products, sugary desserts and pastries, fatty meats, and red meats (such as beef, lamb, and pork) are mostly acidic foods and should not be consumed in excess.
Water: Hydration Should Be Timely and Correct
High summer temperatures cause the body to secrete abundant sweat, leading to significant water loss, so it is essential to replenish water promptly. However, replenishing water in a timely manner is not enough; the word "correct" is also crucial. Experts point out that hygienic mineral water is an ideal source for hydration in the summer. In addition to replenishing the water lost by tissue cells, it can also supplement the body with some inorganic minerals excreted in sweat, killing two birds with one stone.
Hygienic purified water is a good source for quenching thirst when you are very thirsty. However, because the essential minerals for the human body are filtered out, it cannot replenish the inorganic salts lost in sweat. So, while it can temporarily quench thirst, relying on it long-term is not good for health. In addition, the amount of water intake must also be correct. The common saying "drink 8 large glasses of water a day" is not scientific, because everyone's water loss is different, and the amount needed for replenishment naturally varies. The basic standard is to not feel thirsty and to have moist and lustrous eyelids. If you drink too much water, it will first increase the burden on the kidneys, and secondly, excessive water intake can lead to water intoxication, damaging your health.