In winter, cold air and the widespread use of indoor heating often lead to a decrease in air humidity, making our bodies feel drier than ever before. Especially for our beloved middle-aged and elderly friends, this seasonal change not only brings dryness and throat discomfort, but is more likely to cause "fire" phenomena, such as mouth ulcers, constipation and decreased sleep quality. These are not just minor issues, but can affect our overall health and quality of life if left unattended and regulated. But don't worry, nature has endowed us with an abundance of ingredients and wisdom that allows us to regulate and improve all of this through our diet.
With the arrival of winter, the humidity of the air plummets, especially in the indoor heating environment, and the dry air can easily cause various health problems. Middle-aged and elderly people are more sensitive and prone to physical discomfort, so here we will focus on several common conditions that may be caused by dry winter, and provide corresponding prevention and countermeasures.
Respiratory discomfort
Dry air causes moisture to evaporate from the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract faster, leading to an itchy throat, cough or cold. This not only affects the comfort of daily life, but can also aggravate existing respiratory diseases, such as chronic bronchitis.
What to do: Maintain proper humidity indoors, use a humidifier or place boiling water to increase air humidity. At the same time, drink plenty of warm water to keep your throat moist.
**Dry
In winter**, it is easy to become dry, rough, and even crack due to lack of moisture, especially in exposed areas such as hands and feet.
**Countermeasures:**Use moisturizer regularly to moisturize your skin, choosing gentle, non-irritating skincare products. Avoid bathing with overheated water to reduce the loss of oil.
Indigestion
Dryness in winter can also affect the digestive system, manifesting as symptoms such as dry mouth, loss of appetite, and constipationThis is related to the body's reduced secretion of digestive juices in order to maintain internal water balance.
What to do: Increase your dietary intake of water and fiber, such as eating more fruits and vegetables, and maintain a balanced diet. At the same time, maintain a moderate amount of physical activity to promote gastrointestinal peristalsis.
Mental health impacts
A dry environment not only affects physical health, but can also lead to mood swingsSuch as irritability, anxiety and other changes in psychological state.
Response: Maintain a positive and optimistic attitude and engage in relaxing outdoor activitiesSuch as walking, jogging, etc., increase sun exposure, promote vitamin D synthesis, and help improve mood.
In winter, the dry climate makes people feel unwell, which is manifested as "hot" symptoms such as dry mouth and throat irritation. Choose the right food, especially the so-called "fire-dropping dishes".It plays an important role in relieving these symptoms, clearing the heart and reducing fire, and strengthening the spleen and stomach. The following is an introduction to how to select "fire-reducing vegetables" and their selection principles to help middle-aged and elderly people effectively resist the discomfort caused by winter dryness.
Understanding "Lowering Fire": The Key to Body Balance
"Shanghuo" is not a technical medical term, but it does reflect an imbalance in the body, often associated with TCM concepts such as liver fire exuberance and dampness and heat connotation. Choosing foods that clear away heat, invigorate and moisturize can help to harmonize the body and restore inner balance.
The principle of "fire-reducing vegetables" is to focus on light and pay attention to nutrition
When choosing a "fire-reducing dish", the first rule is to choose ingredients that are cool and easy to digest. Such as all kinds of green leafy vegetables, fruits rich in vitamin C, and whole grains rich in dietary fiber. These foods not only help remove heat from the body, but also provide essential nutrients to promote gastrointestinal health.
An example of a common "fire-lowering dish".
Bitter gourd - It has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, clearing the heart and brightening the purpose. The bitter component in bitter gourd can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, increase appetite, and promote digestion.
Winter melon - cool in nature, diuretic and swelling,It is suitable for stewed soups, which helps to clear heat and heat and replenish water.
Lotus root - Rich in dietary fiber and a variety of trace elements, it can clear away heat and nourish blood and enhance the body's resistance.
Guidelines and recommendations
Diversification:Ensure a varied diet and avoid excessive single ingredients to avoid affecting nutritional balance.
Moderate amount is appropriate:Even "low-fire vegetables" should be consumed in moderation, as excessive amounts can lead to other health problems.
Cooking method:It is recommended to use light processing methods such as steaming and boiling, and avoid frying or over-seasoning, so as to retain the original nutrients and light essence of the food.
1.Stewed winter melon soup: easy to reduce internal heat
Winter melon is cool, can effectively clear heat and detoxify, and has a good relieving effect on internal fire caused by dryness in winter. When making, peel and cut fresh winter melon, add an appropriate amount of water and a little salt, and simmer until the winter melon is transparent. This soup can not only clear the heart and reduce fire, but also help to strengthen the spleen and stomach, and is suitable for drinking in winter.
2.Lotus root pork rib soup: nourishing and reducing fire
Lotus root is cool, rich in dietary fiber and trace elements, and stewed with pork ribs, which can not only supplement nutrition but also achieve the effect of clearing heat and reducing fire. Blanch the pork ribs, put them in a pot with the lotus root sliced into sections, add ginger slices and plenty of water, and simmer for several hours. This soup can promote digestion and enhance physical fitness, especially suitable for dry mouth and physical discomfort caused by dryness in winter.
3.Barley and red bean porridge: strengthen the spleen and dehumidify, clear heat and detoxify
Barley and red beans are both traditional ingredients for strengthening the spleen and dampness, and the effect can be doubled when eaten together. Barley has a strong heat-clearing and dampness-dispersing effect, and red beans can nourish blood and heart. After washing the barley and red beans, cook them together with an appropriate amount of rice to make porridge, which is easy to make and nutritious. Eating this porridge often can help regulate the dampness and heat in the body, reduce the phenomenon of irritation caused by dryness, and have a good auxiliary effect on strengthening the spleen and stomach.
These three recipes are not only simple and easy to follow, but also deeply rooted in people's hearts, making them suitable for use during dry and fire-prone winter seasons. By adjusting your eating habits, combined with a proper lifestyle, you can effectively alleviate the discomfort caused by dry winter.