How Summer Heat Affects Digestion - Dr. Sandeep Pal
Every May, as Chandigarh’s mercury crosses 42°C, thousands of residents begin noticing the same unpleasant pattern: bloating after meals, persistent acidity, a heavy or upset stomach, and sluggish digestion that just wasn’t there in winter. Many blame the food. But the real culprit is often the heat itself. As a gastroenterologist practising in Sector 33 D, Chandigarh, I see a significant spike in gut-related complaints every summer. The good news is that most of these problems are preventable once you understand how heat affects your digestive system — and what to do about it. Why Does Summer Heat Slow Down Digestion? Your digestive system depends on a fine balance of enzymes, gut motility, and blood flow to break down food efficiently. Extreme heat disrupts all three: Blood flow shifts away from the gut. In high temperatures, your body redirects blood to the skin to cool you down. Less blood to the stomach means slower digestion. Digestive enzymes become less effective. Heat al...
