How to Boost Digestion in the Summer Heat!

During these hot, lazy days of summer, you may find yourself moving slowly and feeling sleepy all the time. There is in fact an inverse relationship between the temperature outside and the temperature in your body. In summer, your balance may feel off because your body turns down its internal furnace as a means of protecting itself. This translates to the digestive system weakening, meaning you must be careful not to overload it with the wrong foods!

One way to keep digestion working smoothly is to eat lighter. You can do this by eating smaller portions for each meal. In doing this your body will feel cooler, leaving you more alert and energetic throughout the hot day! Do not cut back by skipping meals; eat regular meals, just smaller ones. Try to eat your fair share of semi-liquid, easily digestible foods. Examples include cucumbers, melons, summer squash, and zucchini. If you enjoy snacking on nuts, soaking them overnight makes them easier to digest. Do not eat salty, roasted nuts because those increase the body’s internal heat.

Drinking lots of water is important every season, especially in summer! Increase your daily intake of pure water and other liquids. Freshly squeezed fruit juices cool the body and replenish electrolytes lost in the heat. Certain spices like rosemary, basil, parsley and cilantro enhance digestive power. It is okay to add salt to your food because much of your body’s natural salt stores are lost through sweating.

Daily movement is also important for keeping the digestive system from slowing down. One way to do this without getting overheated is by waking up early to exercise when the heat is at its lowest, or taking an evening walk when the sun sets. Swimming is also a great workout because it helps keep you cool. Whatever you do, don’t overexert yourself! Find creative ways to change up your routine and beat the heat.