by Setareh Kiumarsi
As the hot summer days arrive, the fire element in our bodies increases. Our liver becomes overactive, producing a surge of bile. It’s as if a large internal flame is burning inside our digestive tract and body. This inner fire dries out our bodily fluids, tipping us toward excess heat and dryness.
That’s exactly why summer fruits feel so satisfying and are genuinely beneficial! Most summer fruits—like figs, mangoes, sour cherries, cherries, peaches, nectarines, grapes, watermelon, cantaloupe, and more—are naturally designed to increase moisture and mucus in the digestive tract, replenish the gut lining, and eliminate excess bile by promoting urination and bowel movements. (That’s why most of them are mildly laxative!)
But the problem starts when we lose control, devouring an entire bowl of sour cherries or gobbling down so many peaches, nectarines, or grapes that it leads to diarrhea!
And here’s something most people don’t realize: sour-tasting summer fruits, while they help release bile, also tend to slow metabolism and can suppress thyroid function when consumed in excess.
So, what should we do?
How can we enjoy their benefits and cool off from the summer heat without pushing our bodies too far toward coldness or slowing down our digestion?
The answer is simple: eat a small aromatic apple alongside your summer fruits! Apples are naturally cold and dry, and they act like sponges; absorbing the excess moisture and mucus created by other juicy fruits. In Ayurveda, they serve as a “balancer”. Ideally, cook the apple gently with warming spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and rose petals to prevent it from aggravating vata (air and dryness).
Also, sprinkling a pinch of salt, a drizzle of honey, or warm spices like cardamon or fennel on your fruit helps ease digestion and keeps your gut in balance.
If you share this article—written with love and in the hope of supporting health for all—please credit the author, Setareh Kiumarsi.
