To maintain optimum stomach health this summer, it's wise to make a few dietary adjustments. That's the advice from Dr Agkop Avakian, specialist gastroenterologist at the Saudi German Hospital in Dubai. He tells us how to stay hydrated, and why you should stock your fridge with yogurt.
How is the gut affected by hot weather?
The summer is certainly a stressful time for our bodies as our organisms struggle to adapt to the environment. Our metabolism changes and it becomes difficult to digest foods high in fat, for example. Therefore, symptoms like heartburn and indigestion become more prevalent.
Furthermore, a lot of people return from their summer holidays with what we call Traveller’s Diarrhoea, which also has symptoms of nausea and vomiting. It’s very common among those exposed to strains of bacteria unknown to their immune system.
What’s your best advice for a healthy stomach?
During the summer months I would advise frequent, small, low-fat meals. People must drink plenty of fluids and continue to exercise — the heat is no excuse to be sedentary.
Are certain nationalities more susceptible to gut problems?
Generally speaking, yes. Genetic factors aside, gluten intolerance tends to be more prevalent in Anglo-Saxons and those of Northern European descent. Lactose intolerance, however, is more commonly found in Arabs, south Asians and Mediterraneans.
How concerned should we be about high levels of sodium in our bottled water?
Good question and one many patients often ask me. Sodium, and the rest of the electrolytes found in water, are essential for our body to maintain fluid balance. As we perspire in the summer, more than other seasons in the year, we lose more electrolytes proportionally than water in our sweat. It is, therefore, essential to replace them with more salty foods and drinks.
Drinking bottled water that is rich in sodium during the summer is not a bad thing. The same, however, does not apply in the winter. An important point to note is that people with liver and kidney disease should, at all times, avoid salt as much as possible. They must seek medical assistance and advice.
What’s your top tip for keeping adequately hydrated?
The best rehydration is achieved not from the quantity, but from the quality of the consumed fluids. For example, try adding a pinch of salt or sugar to your water. Glucose helps the absorption of sodium from our intestine cells and through osmosis, the water follows sodium everywhere. By absorbing sodium, we absorb the fluids we ingest more efficiently.
How much store do you put by detox/juicing/cleansing/diets?
I have little faith in them, since there’s no scientific evidence that they work. Indeed, many of these regimens can be quite harmful for our bodies, especially in hot climates.
Do you recommend consumption of daily probiotics?
Yes and this is my favourite topic. The “good bacteria”, called probiotics, are the new frontier in medicine and especially gastroenterology. Our attention is concentrated on them because evidence shows that they could be helpful in treating many conditions like IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and colitis. Personally, I believe that probiotics might one day help us fight conditions like heart disease and even some forms of cancer.
How else can we balance our intestinal flora?
The best source is yogurt. The more unprocessed, the better the amount and quality of good bacteria. So, have it with your breakfast and lunch, as a snack or dessert.
• To book a consultation with Dr Agkop Avakian call 04 389 0000 or visit www.sghdubai.ae
rduane@thenational.ae
