The hot weather in summer often leaves our bodies dehydrated, leading to a constant feeling of dryness and thirst. Many people tend to drink glass after glass of water when they feel thirsty, but still don't feel refreshed. This is because sweating in summer causes the loss of many nutrients in our bodies, including the salt needed to maintain proper osmotic pressure. Without enough salt, the water we consume cannot be retained in our bodies and instead evaporates quickly. So even if we drink a lot of water, very little is actually absorbed by our bodies. Therefore, quenching our thirst in summer requires more than just drinking water; it requires a multi-faceted approach to diet and hydration.
1. Moderate salt intake
In summer, our bodies lose a large amount of salt, which further leads to the loss of water. Severe salt loss can even cause muscle cramps. Therefore, it is important to supplement our salt intake in summer. This can be done through dietary adjustments, such as adding a slightly higher amount of salt when cooking instead of relying solely on bland, low-salt foods. Drinking lightly salted water can also help replenish salt levels in our bodies. The salt concentration in the water should be similar to the salt concentration in our bodies, approximately 0.9%. Generally, drinking one cup of lightly salted water per day is sufficient, preferably in the morning. If you engage in intense exercise or physical labor and sweat a lot, you can also supplement with lightly salted water. However, it is important to note that people with high blood pressure or heart disease should not drink lightly salted water.
2. Eat hydrating fruits
Many fruits in summer contain a high amount of water, which is filtered by the fruit's biological membrane and is of high quality and easily absorbed by our bodies. Some hydrating fruits include:
(1) Cucumber: Cucumbers have thirst-quenching and diuretic properties, and they can also boost our immune function.
(2) Watermelon: Watermelon is rich in water content and has the effects of clearing heat and quenching thirst. It also contains abundant vitamins and nutrients that can replenish what our bodies lose.
(3) Luffa: Luffa is over 90% water, and it is known in traditional Chinese medicine for its ability to quench thirst and clear heat. It is an excellent fruit for quenching thirst in summer.
(4) Tomato: Tomatoes have a cool nature and a sweet taste, and they can also quench thirst and cool the body. They also provide the necessary vitamins for our bodies.
(5) Waxberry: Cao Cao, a historical figure in ancient China, once said "looking at waxberries can quench one's thirst." This shows that waxberries are excellent for hydrating and quenching thirst, making them ideal for summer consumption.
3. Hydrating soups are essential
In addition to drinking water, one of the best ways to hydrate in summer is through soups made with ingredients that have thirst-quenching and heat-clearing properties. These soups not only help cool down and quench thirst, but also provide other important nutrients that our bodies need. Here are a few soups that are great for hydrating and quenching thirst in summer:
(1) Wu Mei Soup: Boil wu mei (black plum), licorice, hawthorn, osmanthus, rock sugar, and water together, and let it cool before drinking. This soup can quench thirst, clear heat, and relieve dampness.
(2) Green Bean Soup: Boil green beans with a small amount of millet, or just boil green beans alone. This soup has the effects of clearing heat and quenching thirst. You can add a small amount of salt to replenish lost salt if needed.
(3) Winter Melon Soup: Boil winter melon with coix seed or other ingredients. This soup has the functions of clearing heat, promoting diuresis, and invigorating the spleen.
(4) Bitter Melon Soup: Boil bitter melon with lean meat or other protein-rich ingredients. This soup can quench thirst and provide the necessary protein for our bodies.
(5) Dried Vegetable Soup: Boil dried vegetables directly or with other ingredients. This soup has the effects of cooling down, clearing heat, and quenching thirst.
