Importance of maintaining a healthy digestive system in the rainy season
The gut is the second brain. This explains the importance of having a healthy digestive system. Your mood may fluctuate, you may feel exhausted, tired, or irritated. All these symptoms may arise due to poor gut health.
Having a healthy flora and fauna is important for the overall health of an individual. But, what makes the digestive system weak during the rainy season?
The scientific evidence of the impact of the rainy season on digestive health is still emerging. However, from the studies, the following may be concluded –
- Slow-down of the digestive system
- Release of fewer enzymes that support digestion
- High humidity
It’s beautiful to see the rain pouring and for some, it is a delight to feel the drizzle. What adds to the monsoon is the craving for food. However, things would have been so easy if one could fulfill all the desires.
Be it summer, winter, or spring, every season comes with certain health risks. So, with the rainy season, there come numerous water-borne diseases that can be challenging for the digestive system. It is a known fact that a change in season or transition from one season to another affects gut health.
Knowing the problem is not enough unless you are equipped with solutions. So, through this article, we shall learn the ways that can keep the digestive system smiling throughout the rainy season.
Stay hydrated
“ It is humid out, how about your gut?”
Seeing enough water all around may divert your attention from your body’s need for water. A healthy gut is the key to good health and drinking enough water is a mantra to maintain a healthy gut. Needless to mention the consequences of dehydration but do not forget to keep the intestinal linings well moistened.
Choose food with nutrient values
“Get fascinated with the outcome”
What seems a delight for the taste buds may disappoint the digestive system. In the end, it is your digestive system that is responsible for sending the nutrients to different parts of the body. So, including varieties of fruits and veggies, and opting for fermented foods can help in digestion, balance the healthy gut bacteria, and strengthen the immune system.
Keep Moving
“Staying active keeps the gut active”
The connection between staying active and gut health may sound weird unless tried and tested. Keeping yourself engaged in exercise or any physical activity supports digestion as it helps improve nutrient absorption and helps relieve constipation. The rain outside may restrict your outdoor activity so staying indoors and finding ways to keep yourself active keeps the digestive system healthy.
Eat mindfully
“Try to eat with your mind first and then with your mouth”
Craving for fried foods is a call of the rainy season or the culture is built in us through our parents. Whatever the reason may be, make sure the gut health is not neglected. Too much of fried and spicy foods can disturb the gut flora. Thinking about what you eat and its impact on your gut can make a difference. Also eating in moderation is the key to maintaining digestive health in monsoon.
Manage Stress
“Healthy mind healthy gut and vice-versa”
The gut and brain are interconnected. No wonder why there is a saying about gut feelings. Your brain and gut can read each other. Taking care of mental stress can significantly impact gut health. It is also known that in some people changes in weather impact mental health. Yoga, meditation, consulting a health care provider, etc are some of the ways that can help you manage stress and maintain digestive health in the rainy season.
Natural Herbs
Every Indian kitchen is filled with natural herbs and spices. Ginger, garlic, turmeric, fennel, etc are some of the common kitchen herbs that can offer various health benefits to the digestive system. The anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, etc properties of natural herbs can boost healthy gut bacteria and kill bad bacteria. This helps boost gut health.
Chew and slow down
“Empathize with gut”
Our body works when the organ system is healthy. Think of the organs as machines. The lesser the load on the machine, the more is the efficiency. Similarly, when the food is chewed thoroughly the digestive system has to work less and more efficiently the nutrients are absorbed. Chewing thoroughly is not just recommended during the rainy season but should be a habit.
Say NO to street foods
There may be less dust in the air but harmful pathogens in water. Staying away from street foods can keep you protected from water-borne diseases. Street foods such as aloo tikki, pani puri, chaat, momos, etc must be avoided.
Drink clean filtered water
There is always a rise in waterborne diseases during the rainy season. Contaminated water is a root cause of health issues related to the gut. It is extremely important to ensure that the water you drink is clean and filtered.