When Your Gut Says, Rain Check!
As indigestion issues surge during monsoons, experts step in to give advice
Monsoon and street food are a match made in foodie heaven, but sometimes, your stomach pays a heavy price. That hot plate of pakoras, roadside chaat or the fruit platter sprinkled with masala may look irresistible, but during the rains, every bite can become a bit of a gamble. Waterlogging, contaminated water, flies, poor storage and food left exposed for too long can turn a harmless-looking snack into a breeding ground for bacteria and parasites.
Weather & Routine
“People tend to eat a little more and indulge in spicier foods during the monsoon. Physical activity comes down, creating a combination that can slow digestion and contribute to issues such as bloating, acidity and indigestion,” says Dr K.S. Santhosh Anand, Advanced Robotic Training (Pittsburg), Robotic GI & HPB Surgeon, Apollo Main Hospital, Chennai.
Dr Santhosh further explains that the monsoon brings with it an increased risk of contamination of drinking water, fruits and other food items, creating favourable conditions for the spread of bacterial and parasitic infections. Such infections can primarily affect the gastrointestinal system, leading to symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, bloating and indigestion, while certain infections may also have respiratory manifestations.
Ankita Gupta, Dietician & Founder of Nutrition Matters from Delhi says, “The monsoon demands a strict shift in our biological environment.” According to her, the high humidity and changes in routine during the rainy season can make digestion feel sluggish, making it advisable to move away from heavy or very cold meals and opt for traditional, gut-friendly foods instead.
She recommends incorporating ingredients such as ginger, garlic and cumin, which she says can support digestion by stimulating gastric secretions.
The Street-Food Gamble
Dr. Santhosh cautions that foods commonly consumed during the monsoon, including street food, raw salads, cut fruits, fried snacks and dairy products, can become particularly vulnerable to contamination if they are not handled, stored or prepared hygienically. He says, “Raw foods and cut fruits, for instance, may be exposed to contaminated water or unhygienic handling, while dairy products can spoil if they are not stored at the appropriate temperature.”
Even popular fried foods are not automatically safe if the ingredients, utensils or cooking environment are unhygienic. Dr Santhosh emphasises that basic food hygiene can go a long way in preventing monsoon-related infections. He recommends washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly with safe water and choosing freshly prepared, properly cooked or boiled food wherever possible.
Food For Thought
The craving for hot pakoras and other fried snacks during monsoon is natural. But frequently consuming commercially fried foods, particularly those prepared in reused and heated oils, can aggravate digestive discomfort and acid reflux.
Rich, spicy restaurant meals can also feel particularly heavy on the digestive system, potentially leaving one with bloating, trapped gas and that uncomfortable. For those craving a savoury snack, Ankita recommends opting for freshly prepared food at home and using fats such as desi ghee or cold-pressed oils in moderation rather than relying on heavily processed or repeatedly heated cooking oils.
Importance of Hydration
Many people forget to drink enough water during the rainy season. Yet hydration remains important for normal digestion and bowel function. Drinking safe, clean water throughout the day is particularly important during the monsoon, when water contamination is a greater concern.
And get this straight: three cups of adrak wali chai do not count as a hydration strategy! Ankita explains, “When the body becomes mildly dehydrated, it pulls water directly from the colon, resulting in severe constipation and sluggish digestion.”
She recommends sipping water regularly throughout the day, including warm water infused with fennel or coriander seeds, to stay hydrated and support comfortable digestion during the monsoon.
That Gut Feeling
What’s clear is this: the monsoon does not really upset our stomachs as much as it upsets our routines. We eat a little more, move a little less, reach for comfort food and are too casual about what goes into our stomach. But truth be told: The gut keeps a count. After all, the rains may be unpredictable, but our gut health doesn’t have to be!