Summer weather is hot, and many people like to drink cold drinks or eat ice cream to cool down. While these cold treats can provide temporary relief from the heat and make people feel comfortable, consuming them in large quantities can cause harm, especially to gastrointestinal health. So, what are the dangers of eating too much ice cream in the summer?
Eating too much ice cream can harm the gastrointestinal system
Although eating ice cream can provide temporary comfort to the body, the temperature of this type of food is 20 to 30 degrees lower than the temperature inside the stomach. Consuming a large amount of ice cream or other cold drinks can easily irritate the gastrointestinal system, causing blood vessels to constrict and leading to ischemia of the stomach mucosa. This can quickly weaken the digestive and bactericidal capabilities of the gastrointestinal system, resulting in symptoms such as spasmodic pain, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
The elderly are more vulnerable to the harm of eating too much ice cream
Elderly people, especially those with cardiovascular diseases, are more susceptible to discomfort in the gastrointestinal system if they consume excessive amounts of ice cream and cold beverages in the summer. Additionally, they may experience cerebral vasoconstriction, which can trigger angina. Thus, ice cream consumption poses a greater risk to the health of the elderly. Furthermore, excessive consumption of cold treats by the elderly can cause constriction of blood vessels in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal mucosa, leading to reduced secretion of gastric acid, pancreatic juice, and other digestive fluids. This can result in decreased appetite and symptoms of indigestion.
Limit consumption of ice cream after exercise
In hot summer weather, it is indeed refreshing to eat an ice cream or drink a bottle of cold beverage after exercising. However, this can easily have negative effects on one's health. During exercise, most of the blood in the body is concentrated in the periphery, and the digestive system experiences temporary anemia. Consuming too many cold foods can further irritate the anemic gastrointestinal system, causing severe vasoconstriction. In addition to gastrointestinal diseases, anemia can also worsen.
Excessive consumption of ice cream can lead to intestinal infectious diseases
In addition to damaging the gastric mucosa, causing constriction of blood vessels, reduced appetite, and indigestion, excessive consumption of cold treats can also reduce the body's bactericidal capabilities. This leads to rapid growth of various bacteria in the intestines. Continuing to consume other cold foods or beverages can increase the risk of developing intestinal infectious diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, and enteritis.
The harmful effects of ice cream additives and flavorings on the body
Ice cream is mainly made from artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners, all of which have no nutritional value for the body. Some low-quality flavorings and colorings can even cause allergies, asthma, skin itching, and neurogenic headaches. Therefore, consuming too much ice cream is detrimental to one's health.
The harm of eating ice cream for women during menstruation
Blood tends to coagulate when exposed to cold. Women, especially during menstruation, should avoid consuming these cold foods to prevent problems such as irregular menstruation, menstrual pain, and amenorrhea due to poor blood circulation. In severe cases, it can even lead to other inflammatory issues.
The harm of eating ice cream for people with sluggish blood circulation
Sluggish blood circulation is a specific constitution characterized by physical weakness, dull complexion, easy occurrence of blood stasis, dark or purplish lips, hair loss, and dry skin. Such individuals are prone to worsened blood flow and aggravated symptoms of blood stasis if they consume excessive amounts of ice cream.
