What does a common man understand about digestion? Simply that he feels hungry quite often when his digestion is good, and that in winter, his food cravings increase more than in any other season. But is that only what digestion is all about? No, the digestion process isn't that simple. It is a more complex process than we know. It powers our body; the digestive system can't work alone and is intensely affected by the changes in seasons. We have to understand the seasonal dynamics to strengthen our gut and improve overall health, and in this blog, we are up to that.
Winter: A Season of Warmth and Improved Digestion
As per Ayurveda "Agni," the body's internal fire is responsible for digestion. In winter, Agni is known to be stronger and increases the digestive power, making this season best for the consumption of warming and nutrient foods.
An article published in Frontiers in Neuroscience has shown a strong relationship between seasonal changes and food intake. It says that hormones have an important role in food behavior during seasonal changes. The hormones ghrelin and leptin, which are responsible for hunger alter with the seasons.
The cooler weather triggers the body to burn more calories to keep the body warm, making you hungrier. In winter, the body craves fat and carb-rich foods. But if you don't keep your body active in colder months even with a strong digestive fire, metabolism may take a slight plunge.
What to Eat in Winter
Hunger pangs can make you grab for anything within your reach, but that may not be good for your health, especially gut health. You should choose foods that are warm, healthier, and support your digestive system and overall health. You should better opt for:
- Warming foods like root vegetables such as carrots and beetroots, and tubers like potatoes and sweet potatoes. Whole grains and soups help your body stay warm.
- Nutritious fats from nuts, seeds, and ghee not only provide energy but also lubricate intestines.
- Spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper boost circulation as well as digestion.
Winter Tips for Better Digestion
- Like any other season, you have to keep yourself well-hydrated in winter though you may not feel thirsty as in summer.
- Keep off foods that slacken the digestive fire like cold and raw foods.
- No physical activities mean slow metabolism, leading to indigestion, gas, and bloating. So, engage in light exercise to keep your metabolism active.
Summer: A Time for Cooling and Light Digestion
Summer heat weakens the digestive fire and the body naturally craves cooling and lighter foods. Summer's heat challenges the digestive system by weakening the body's internal fire. As a result, we naturally long for lighter and cooling foods. Thirst surpasses hunger during this season as the body tries to adjust the temperature by sweating, and fluid loss affects the digestive process.
What to Eat in Summer
Though you don't feel hungry as in other seasons of the year, you do implore for cooling foods. These are some of the foods that you can go for in summer.
- Cooling foods like watermelon, citrus fruits, and cucumber help in getting enough nutrients as well as keep you hydrated.
- Buttermilk, yogurt, and fermented foods revive good bacteria in your gut.
- Mint, fennel, and coriander are not only cool but also assist in better digestion.
Summer Tips for Better Digestion
- In summer or any other weather, eating frequent but smaller meals prevents you from overburdening your digestive system.
- Greasy and heavy foods disturb digestion.
- Hydration is a must, but avoid sugary drinks and rather opt for coconut water or herbal drinks.
Balancing Digestion Across Seasons: Winter vs Summer
May it be any season, it demands a balanced approach to nutrition and lifestyle. The most essential part is keeping your gut healthy and managing your stomach problems if you face one. An unhealthy gut leads to other physical and mental health problems. The common stomach issues due to weaker digestion that occur irrespective of any season are gas, constipation, indigestion, and acidity. A few of the sensible approaches can help in smooth digestion throughout the year, and they are:
- Be mindful of your body's cravings as they are the signal of what your body needs.
- Nature provides us with foods that are best for us in that particular season, so have fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables.
- Align your habits and lifestyle to the season to support good digestion and gut health.
- Don't ignore signs of stomach issues such as low appetite, gas, indigestion, constipation, and acidity as they may sometimes be symptoms of severe health issues.
- Reach out for ayurvedic remedies for gut health, as they are natural and have minimum to no side effects.
If the symptoms of your stomach problem get severe, consult a physician without any delay.