The Effects of Eating Too Much Cold Food in the Summer

June 6, 2023 | 17:26:40

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With the scorching heat of summer, many people find relief in consuming cold foods and beverages. Ice creams, chilled drinks, and frozen treats become popular choices during this season. While indulging in the occasional cold treat is refreshing, consuming an excessive amount of cold food can have certain effects on your body. In this blog post, we will explore what happens if you eat too much cold food in the summer.

Throat problem

Whether it is summer or winter, eating cold does not directly affect the throat. But it may be indirectly harming the neck. The body has a kind of physiology. There are millions of active harmful viruses around us. Which are not easily absorbed into the body. But when you eat cold suddenly, external germs can enter the body.

The ability to fight infection is disturbed to some extent by cold. Because cold food accumulates mucus in the airways. The function of mucus is to cover the respiratory tissue and become a mechanism against bacterial infection, but sudden extreme cold can open the mucus and cause throat infection. As a result, it can cause sore throat and hoarseness. For people with throat allergies, cold drinks can affect the airways to some extent.

However, for a healthy person who is always in the habit of drinking cold drinks or water, it does not make much difference whatever the weather. But sometimes eating cold food can cause throat problems.

A caste that does not eat cold as soon as it comes from the sun

As soon as the sun comes out, cold water, juice, sherbet in the refrigerator is everyone’s choice. Lassi and ice cream are also eaten while walking in the sun. If the water is hot, mix it with ice and eat it. In this way, eating cold food during hot weather means interfering with the body temperature. Drinking cold food suddenly causes temperature imbalance in the body, which requires more energy for the body. Digestion slows down when the body tries to digest the food that has entered the body. Which causes upset stomach. Therefore, after coming from the sun, you can only eat food after cooling down your body for a while. Therefore, excessive consumption of ice cream, kulfi, and ice can cause pain not only to the throat but also to the teeth. It can affect the enamel of the teeth and lead to tooth decay. Acids and sugars in cold drinks also cause toothache.

Not only too cold, but also too hot should not be eaten. Moreover, the mixture of cold and heat is unfavorable for health. The habit of many people is to have a cold drink after having a hot snack. Eating like this gives instant pleasure. But after a while, the stomach may not be satisfied. Because the digestive system cannot reduce cold and heat to its temperature at the same time. Because of this, problems like stomach bloating and sour belching are seen.

How to avoid?

The only way to avoid throat infections is to improve your immune system and stay away from extremely cold foods and drinks. Not only that, you should avoid cold or hot food as soon as you come back from the sun. For this, the body should be allowed to cool down for some time. And any cold food can be eaten slowly without rushing. As soon as you put the cold in your mouth, you should try to keep it in your mouth for a while. So that extremely cold food helps to adjust the body temperature.

If you are suffering from throat infection, add salt to lukewarm water and rinse with that water. You can drink ginger and basil tea to get relief from sore throat and swelling.

1. Digestive Discomfort:

Eating an excess of cold food can lead to digestive discomfort, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. Cold foods can slow down the digestive process, making it harder for your body to break down and absorb nutrients properly. This can result in symptoms such as bloating, gas, and indigestion.

2. Weakened Digestive Fire:

In Ayurveda, it is believed that the digestive fire, known as “agni,” plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. Consuming an excessive amount of cold food can dampen this digestive fire, making it less efficient. Weakened agni can lead to poor digestion, nutrient deficiencies, and a weakened immune system.

3. Reduced Nutrient Absorption:

Cold foods can constrict blood vessels in the digestive system, limiting blood flow to the area. This constriction can hinder the absorption of essential nutrients from the food you consume. Over time, this may lead to deficiencies in vital vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal health.

4. Sluggish Metabolism:

Cold food can temporarily decrease your body’s core temperature. In response, the body tries to compensate by slowing down its metabolism to conserve energy. While this response is natural, consuming an excessive amount of cold food can lead to a persistently sluggish metabolism, which may contribute to weight gain and difficulty in maintaining a healthy weight.

5. Imbalance in the Body:

According to traditional Chinese medicine, consuming too much cold food can create an imbalance in the body’s energy, known as Qi. This imbalance can disrupt the flow of Qi, leading to various health issues. Some people may experience symptoms like fatigue, weakened immunity, or even increased susceptibility to illnesses.

6. Sensitivity to Cold:

Eating an excess of cold food can make your body more sensitive to cold temperatures. It may result in feeling chilled more easily and experiencing discomfort in cold environments. This sensitivity can persist even after summer, making you more susceptible to cold-related illnesses during colder seasons.

Conclusion:
While enjoying cold food and drinks during the summer can be a delightful way to beat the heat, it’s essential to maintain balance. Excessive consumption of cold food can lead to digestive discomfort, weakened digestion, reduced nutrient absorption, a sluggish metabolism, imbalances in the body, and increased sensitivity to cold. To ensure a healthy and enjoyable summer, consider moderating your intake of cold foods and opting for a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of fresh and nourishing options.