The Tastes of Summer
Nature gives us exactly what we need, and seasonal eating is one of the best ways to improve the health of your gut, your microbiome. For thousands of years, Ayurveda has used seasonal eating to do just that.
In August, as we move towards the end of summer. Foods that have cooling properties become readily available. These foods move heat out of the body by cooling the blood and skin and cleansing the liver. My favorites are limes, cherries, cucumbers, apples, and watermelons. If you consume enough of them, they will encourage looser stools and frequent urination, releasing heat from the body.
Limes are sour and acidic in taste yet have an alkalizing effect on the body. Limes nourish blood plasma and help rebuild fluids having a cooling and purifying effect on the blood. They are high in vitamin C and reduce acidity in the stomach. Limes promote cleansing by encouraging secretions in the digestive tract and salivary glands. These secretions improve taste, digestion, and regular elimination by functioning as a mild laxative. The increase in the flow of bile, aids in the digestion of fat, reducing liver and gall bladder congestion.
Watermelon bring a sweet and refreshing taste to summer. It has a cooling effect on the body restoring balance to the blood and reducing fatigue due to the heat. On hot and humid days, some people are prone to puffiness and swollen legs and ankles. Watermelon's diuretic properties purge extra fluids from the body, reducing summer swelling. As it purges extra fluids from the body, watermelon leaves you feeling light and refreshed.
Watermelon flushes and cleanses the urinary tract reducing infections (UTI) which increase with the summer heat. Pay attention to the color and quantity of your urine. When you notice it has returned to a light yellow color, you know you are reducing your risk of a urinary tract infections this summer. However, because of watermelons diuretic effect, it only quenches thirst temporarily. Be sure to drink plenty of water when cleansing your urinary tract with watermelon.
Enjoy the gifts of nature this summer with what lime and watermelon have to offer. Try out these simple recipes to make in your kitchen.