Our body demands a good amount of hydration especially during summer when we sweat more. But do you know what happens when your body is extremely dehydrated after being exposed to the sun? It can cause diarrhoea. Yes! You heard it right. To learn more about it, we spoke to Manpreet Kalra, Dietitian, Founder and Director - Nutriapt Healthcare Private Limited.
What is Diarrhoea?
Kalra said, "Diarrhoea is a condition when an individual has loose, watery stools and more frequent bowel movements than usual which can cause severe dehydration in the body." She further said that this can be triggered by extreme heat and temperature when the body is dehydrated.
How Does Summer Heat Impact Stomach?
"According to ayurveda, this sudden rise in temperature can flare up the pitta dosha in our body, i.e., increases the body heat which indicates that your gut has too much heat and can cause severe loose motions or diarrhoea and sometimes bloating too in a few cases," she said.
Also Read: Ayurvedic Remedies To Treat Diarrhoea
"This also emphasises that your digestive fire is weakened, absorption and assimilation of food are slow, and the food passes through the system more quickly causing loose motions," she added,
How To Improve Your Pitta?
In this scorching heat and humid weather, we all just want one extra sip of summer cooler before we step out of the house, don’t we? If you are also among the ones, craving rejuvenating drinks, have you ever tried healthier versions of summer drinks, such as summer-infused water rather than gulping on highly sugary processed drinks to keep your body cool?
Kalra said, "Ironically, these high-sugar soda drinks, work in contrast to what it claims, since these soda drinks are extremely dehydrating on their own, they can quench your thirst momentarily but are unable to provide the actual water your body needs."
"To improve your pitta, you need to focus on cleansing and cooling majorly your small intestine and stomach and carefully focusing on returning the normal bowel movements by adding cooling foods and avoiding hot and spicy foods which can further aggravate your pitta," said Kalra.
According to Kalra, one of the cool food you can add to your diet to clean your stomach and intestine is buttermilk. Kalra explains a quick and easy-to-prepare recipe of buttermilk which will keep you hydrated for long hours and helps to keep your stomach flora cool and healthy.
Also Read: Is It Possible To Have Diarrhoea and Constipation Together? Learn About Paradoxical Diarrhoea
Mint Buttermilk
Add a small bowl of curd, 5-6 mint leaves, 1 teaspoon of cumin powder, a pinch of black pepper powder, and black salt to taste. Now, mix it well in a grinder and serve chilled by adding 3-4 ice cubes.
Kalra said, "You can have this easy-to-carry summer drink at your workplace or college and have it during your mid-meal to keep your gut cool and refreshed."
[Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be followed as it is. If you suffer from any stomach issue, you should consult your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.]
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