UAE summer gut health: How extreme heat can trigger bloating, acidity and food poisoning
Summertime sadness is a thing, and your gut could be singing it. As temperatures soar, your body loses more fluid through sweat, while changes in appetite, sleep and daily routines can throw your eating habits off balance. The result: A digestive system that can suddenly feel anything but settled. Cue bloating, constipation, acidity and indigestion, common complaints that can become more…
The sweltering summer heat can wreak havoc on the digestive system, causing bloating, acidity, constipation, and indigestion. Dr. Nourshan Janoudi, a specialist gastroenterologist, explains that while extreme heat does not directly cause these issues, dehydration, altered appetite, and intensified sweating can impact the proper functioning of the digestive system.
To prevent summer digestive complaints, Dr. Janoudi recommends staying well-hydrated, consuming regular, balanced meals, and avoiding heavy or greasy foods that may cause discomfort. Paying attention to how one's body reacts to changes in heat and diet can significantly contribute to maintaining digestive comfort.
Dehydration, a common issue during hot weather, can slow down digestion, leading to symptoms such as bloating, cramping, reflux, and constipation. The body's reduced fluid availability affects several stages of digestion, from saliva production to stool softening in the colon.
Heat also exacerbates food poisoning risks, as bacteria multiply rapidly in warm temperatures, particularly when food is not stored, handled, or cooked properly. Food left at room temperature for extended periods becomes unsafe, heightening the risk of stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
To ensure food safety during summer picnics, road trips, and outdoor activities, it is crucial to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Food should be refrigerated promptly, and proper hand hygiene, utensil cleanliness, and food preparation practices should be observed. When grilling, a food thermometer helps determine whether meat is adequately cooked to avoid potential foodborne illnesses.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
