Be cautious about your cardiovascular health while enjoying hot pot and cold drinks

June 6, 2013

During hot weather, it’s important to pay attention to your diet and avoid inviting illness through your mouth. Besides consuming more vegetables and fruits, it’s advisable to reduce the intake of fried and spicy foods, as well as excessively cold foods. Especially when feeling overheated, it’s essential to replenish fluids gradually and avoid gulping down large amounts of water all at once. Additionally, be mindful of the potential consequences of indulging in hot pot and cold drinks while sitting in an air-conditioned environment, as it can lead to the accumulation of “oily substances” on the walls of your blood vessels.

Why did people in ancient times avoid drinking too much water while carrying heavy loads? Why should marathon runners avoid excessive water intake? Why shouldn’t boxers drink too much water during halftime? It’s because they need to maintain explosive power. Of course, it doesn’t mean that water should be completely avoided. Instead, it should be consumed in appropriate amounts. Water is needed for vaporization, which generates energy, and energy is required for strength and stamina. Drink plenty of water before heading out, replenish fluids adequately during work, and remember to gradually consume water instead of chugging large quantities at once.

Our bodies are constantly being used, and those who possess health knowledge and take care of their bodies can naturally stay healthy until the age of 70 to 80 with minimal issues. However, neglecting proper care and maintenance may result in problems such as kidney shrinkage, liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, systemic dysfunction, joint degeneration, body aches, and more as early as in one’s 30s or 40s.

Your life belongs to you, and you should be the master of your body. If you liken your stomach to a June day, drinking ice-cold water during hot weather will leave your stomach cold, hindering the dissipation of heat. The body’s limbs require effort for movement, and without a continuous supply of energy, they naturally become weak, leading to fatigue, body aches, and an increased risk of early injuries.

During the summer, days are longer, and nights are shorter. The sunrise is around 5 o’clock, and it doesn’t get dark until 7 or 8 o’clock. Human routines follow the natural rhythm of the environment, resting during the night and being active during the day. Consequently, the workload increases invisibly during summer, resulting in higher energy consumption. Furthermore, in the past, summer was considered a time for weight loss. However, modern individuals rely on air conditioning, consume cold drinks, and have an excess of nutrition, making it difficult to achieve weight loss. In the past, people couldn’t eat much during hot weather because their bodies naturally adjusted their appetite. Nowadays, with air conditioning, hot pot meals, and cold drinks, overeating occurs, leading to the accumulation of fat in the body. Over time, this can cause the liver and blood vessel walls to accumulate “oily substances,” eventually resulting in arteriosclerosis or fatty liver disease.