Tips for summer

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The few drizzles the city has had the past week has left the atmosphere more dehydrating. While an average adult human body has more than 70 percent water content in it, the body perspires a lot during summers leading to dehydration and heat strokes. “When you sweat, you lose electrolytes, causing the loss of sodium and potassium from the body and resulting in electrolyte imbalance. So, to substitute for the loss of water and minerals, plenty of water, fruits and veggies have to be consumed in summer,” says Lalitha Appukuttan, a city-based diet consultant and health cookery specialist. Those who are seeking a respite from the summer heat can rely on these diet tips that she suggests.Heat StrokeWhen the temperature is too high for the body to resist and if the body is running low on fluids, there are all possibilities for a person to be a victim of sunstroke. If the body doesn’t have enough fluids to perspire, the natural cooling system begins to fail. The body temperature rises dangerously, causing heat stroke. “If a person doesn’t sweat even in scorching heat that is a symptom of heat stroke”, she says. “If a person falls down due to heat stroke, give a glass of water mixed with salt and sugar or electrolyte if he/she is conscious. This will, to some extent, help to stabilise the imbalance. And then immediately rush to the hospital as heat stroke can turn fatal within hours.”Thirst Quencher for ChildrenKids are always fussy when it comes to fruits and vegetables. But parents can be smart says Dr. Lalitha. “Mix juices of different fruits including the fruit they dislike. Prepare juice of two fruits, one which the child likes and the other which he/she dislikes. Mix it in such a way that the taste of the favourite stands out”, she says. Instead of sugar, add honey and pour it into a glass. It is better not to refrigerate it but instead dip the glass into a vessel containing chilled wateKeep it dipped for 5 minutes and then serve.