Summer has arrived, with scorching heat making everyone search for a hint of coolness. For middle-aged and elderly individuals, high temperatures are not just about comfort but also about health.
This poses quite a challenge for them. Especially concerning diet, some seemingly refreshing foods may actually be detrimental to the body; it’s better to stick to drinking a couple of sips of cold water and avoid eating altogether. Today, let’s have a detailed discussion on what middle-aged and elderly individuals should pay attention to when selecting fruits in the summer.
Watermelon is the ultimate summer cooler, a slice of chilled watermelon not only relieves heat but also quenches thirst. Although watermelon is refreshing and tasty, it is high in sugar content and water.
For elderly individuals with unstable blood sugar control or those in the pre-diabetic stage, consuming too much watermelon may lead to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. Therefore, these friends should control their watermelon intake appropriately. This is not an overstatement; in reality, numerous elderly individuals end up in the emergency room during summer due to uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
Pineapple contains high levels of citric acid and vitamin C; excessive consumption can easily lead to excess stomach acid, especially for elderly individuals with gastritis or peptic ulcers. Some elderly individuals may experience stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting after consuming pineapple, as citric acid directly irritates the stomach lining.
Overindulging in tropical durian can not only lead to overheating but also cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Especially for middle-aged and elderly individuals with cardiovascular diseases, the high calorie content in durian poses a hidden risk. Studies have indicated that due to its unique nutritional composition, durian may lead to elevated blood pressure without proper control, posing a certain risk to cardiovascular health.
Starfruit is delicious and juicy, but it is a big taboo for elderly individuals with kidney disease. Although starfruit is tasty, it contains a specific neurotoxin.
Under normal circumstances, our kidneys can easily handle these toxins, but for individuals with impaired kidney function, it can be troublesome. Consuming starfruit among kidney disease patients may result in neurotoxic reactions, manifesting as dizziness, confusion, or even coma.
While discussing summer diets, many immediately think of various cold drinks and ice cream. The cold sensation indeed provides instant relief, but for middle-aged and elderly individuals, excessive consumption of cold foods impacts the gastrointestinal system.
Especially for elderly people with pre-existing poor gastrointestinal function, cold drinks may lead to gastrointestinal spasms, triggering symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea. Moreover, the ingestion of cold foods stimulates the stomach wall, affecting the secretion of digestive juices, which over time may exacerbate gastritis or other digestive system ailments.
Though eating in summer may seem simple, it involves a lot of knowledge. Middle-aged and elderly friends, while enjoying delicacies, should pay attention to whether these foods suit their physical conditions. Therefore, selecting a suitable and healthy summer diet tailored to oneself is the best approach.
In the scorching summer, for middle-aged and elderly individuals to maintain good health, besides watching their diet, there are many other aspects they need to be particularly mindful of. Let’s continue discussing this topic; there might be some unexpected pieces of knowledge that could genuinely benefit their health.
During the hot summer, middle-aged and elderly individuals need to pay special attention to maintaining appropriate body temperature and avoiding heatstroke. Outdoor temperatures are high in summer, and the thermal regulatory capacity of middle-aged and elderly individuals is relatively weak, making it crucial to have proper indoor temperatures and ventilation.
Although summer is hot, moderate outdoor activities are beneficial. Engaging in mild activities like walking, tai chi, or yoga under high temperatures is advisable. These activities not only promote blood circulation but also enhance muscle and bone strength, preventing osteoporosis. However, choose cooler times like early morning or evening to avoid sun exposure, wear a hat, and use sunscreen—a detail that requires attention.
Let’s delve into a less common topic related to diet—color coordination in summer diets. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, foods of different colors correspond to different organs of the body, and summer is the season of the most active heart activity, corresponding to the color red.
Thus, adding red foods like tomatoes, red peppers, strawberries, and cherries can aid heart health and enhance cardiac function. This is not just superstition; modern scientific research also indicates that these red foods are rich in antioxidants such as lycopene and vitamin C, which genuinely protect the cardiovascular system.
Furthermore, summer is a season where many tend to overlook their water intake. Many middle-aged and elderly individuals deliberately drink less water due to concerns about frequent urination at night.
However, this is harmful to the body! Daily intake should guarantee a minimum of 1.5 to 2 liters of water, achievable through drinking water, tea, or consuming fruits and vegetables with high water content. If concerned about night-time urination issues, try distributing more water intake during mornings and afternoons.
In the scorching heat of summer, we often hear advice advocating that middle-aged and elderly individuals should drink more water, stay calm, and maintain a peaceful state of mind. These are all excellent suggestions.
However, today I wish to share some things you may not have paid much attention to in the past; that is the traditional “waters” suitable for consumption by middle-aged and elderly individuals during summer. These waters not only quench thirst but also aid in regulating the body and preventing common health issues in summer.
In traditional Chinese medicine, mung beans have effects like heat-clearing, detoxification, and cooling down the body. Drinking mung bean soup in summer helps the body resist the external heat impact and prevent heatstroke. The preparation of mung bean soup is straightforward; just wash the mung beans, boil them in water, then simmer over low heat until fully cooked.
You can add some rock sugar or mint, enhancing not only the taste but also providing a cooling sensation, offering relief in the sweltering heat.
For middle-aged and elderly individuals who frequently use computers or watch television, chrysanthemum tea is an excellent choice as it relieves eye fatigue and reduces dry eyes. Drinking chrysanthemum tea in summer can also alleviate headaches, particularly those induced by high temperatures. Moreover, the pleasant scent of chrysanthemum aids in refreshing and uplifting the mood.
Eucommia is an intriguing Chinese herb primarily used for nourishing the liver and kidneys, strengthening muscles and bones, and lowering blood pressure. For middle-aged and elderly individuals, especially those with symptoms of hypertension, drinking eucommia tea in summer can help regulate blood pressure and alleviate fluctuations caused by heat-induced blood pressure patterns.
In hot summer days, many middle-aged and elderly individuals may feel restless; jasmine tea can help stabilize emotions and improve sleep. Additionally, jasmine tea possesses detoxification properties, aiding liver detox and promoting overall bodily health.
These traditional health teas are not only excellent thirst-quenchers in summer but also valuable aids for middle-aged and elderly individuals in maintaining their health. Choose a health tea that suits your constitution and taste, drink it in moderation, to harness its best health benefits. Though summer is hot, with scientific diet choices and proper regulation, each summer can be peacefully traversed.
