How Seasonal Changes Impact Overall Gut and Liver Health

Our body is always adjusting to environmental changes- whether the heat of summer, cold of winter, or moistness of monsoons. The gut and liver are among the most sensitive organs to seasonal changes because they play a large role in digestion, detoxification, and metabolism. Knowing how seasons affect these organs can help you adjust your diet and lifestyle to be healthy.

Summer: Hydration, Heat, and Digestive Fire

When summer arrives and the temperatures heat up, water loss increases due to sweating, leading the digestion balance to tip. 

Gut effect: Due to excess heat, there is a decline in digestive enzymes leading to bloating, acidity, or slow digestion. People will often notice that they are not hungry or feel heavy after a meal.

Liver effect: The liver burns lots of energy to metabolize food that generates heat, on top of dealing with detoxification of the body from heat stress. In addition to dehydration thickening bile, which leads to a decline in the ability to digest fats effectively. 

Suggestions to keep cool with the Gut & Liver in the summer:

1. Stay hydrated with water, coconut water, or water with lemon.

2. Don’t eat oily or spicy foods, as they increase body temperature.

3. Choose cooling foods such as cucumber, watermelon and buttermilk.

4. Limit alcohol consumption due to the extra burden on an already stressed liver. 

Monsoon: Dampness, Digestion, and Immunity

During the monsoon season, humidity is increased, and as a result bacterial and fungal growth increases leading to stomach infections or food-based illnesses. 

Gut effect: Because of the humid environment, digestion is impaired and therefore, gut microbiome is not balanced and often will cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. 

Liver effect: Infections are common during monsoon season causing extra work for the liver when digestion is affected.Conditions such as viral hepatitis (especially Hepatitis A & E) rise in this time period, typically due to food or water contamination. 

Monsoon Best Practices:

• Choose hot, freshly cooked food over raw salads.
• Take time to clean your fruits and vegetables very well to reduce the possibility of gastrointestinal infections.
• Incorporate turmeric, ginger, and pepper into your meals, if possible, as these spices increase digestion and immunity.
• Avoid food from roadside vendors or uncovered streetside snacks

Autumn: The Natural Detox Season for Gut and Liver 

Autumn is natural detox time for your body after the heavy rains of monsoon. Your body will now start to excrete all those extra toxins it kept as we move into the cooler months. 

How will this affect your gut: You are likely to feel lightness and energy, but make poor quality choices in your diet, and you may also notice the opposite as constipation or irregular bowel movements. 

How will this affect your liver: This is the optimal time of the year to detox your liver with naturally antioxidant and fiber-rich food. 

Fall detox protocol:

Much like summer, include citrus fruits, beets, and greens into some of your meals.

• Consider hot herbal teas, such as dandelion or mint, to help support a healthy liver that is doing its best to remove toxins. 
• Hand work and moderate exercise and opportunities for dietary mindfulness.

Winter: Strong Digestion and Heavy Eating 

During winter, your metabolism of your body increases to prevent from getting cold; which is the time of year when digestive fire is at its peak. Heavy eating and low-water diets will create shock for the gut and liver. 

How will this affect your gut: People naturally eat more carbs, fats, and meat during the winter. If we have not consumed enough fiber, we could be setting ourselves up for regular or constipation issues.Impact on the Liver:  Extra sugar and fat can lead to fatty liver accumulation.

Winter Gut & Liver Care Guidance: 

• Eat soups, lentils, and fermented foods for digestive health. 
• Drink Plenty of Water — Cold weather makes people less thirsty, but your body still needs water. 
• Eat Good, Healthy Fats (ghee, olive oil, nuts), while avoiding saturated fats, in moderation. 
• Stay Active  Light exercise supports your liver and its function, think about activity level changes to allow for consistency.

Spring: Renewal and Cleansing

Spring is renewal and is a great time to cleanse and revitalize the gut and liver after the heavy winter diet. 

Impact on the Gut: The flora in the gut thrives with fiber-rich food and fermented foods in the Spring. 

Impact on the Liver: The liver reacts well to detox diets because it can enhance energy levels and skin clarity. 

Spring Renewal Plan:

• Begin the day with warm water and lemon to stimulate flush and cleanse the liver and gut. 
• Consume more leafy greens while avoiding refined sugars. 
• Consider intermittent fasting or lighter/detoxing meals (speak to your doctor). 

If you experience a heaviness in the body or fatigue, have your liver enzyme levels checked regularly via your healthcare provider. 

• Lifestyle Practises That Advocate Gut and Liver Health 365 Days A Year 
• Be Mindful When Eating . The practice of slowing down while eating and stopping when you are 80% full. 
• Hydration Is Important  Water aids digestion in many ways and to reduce the burden of removing toxins. 
• Avoid Processed Food & alcohol  both strain the liver which can cause upset in gut microbiome.
• Regular and Consistent physical activity supports circulation and increase metabolism. 
• Adequate Sleep  the liver detoxes and repairs when you enter deep sleep, as does the gut. 
• Probiotic Support  yogurt, kefir, and/or fermented foods will help restore and maintain good gut bacteria.
• Periodic Health Checks  Health checks of the liver enzymes as they contribute to digestive health, especially if you experience fatigue, acidity, and/or irregular bowel habit. 
   

The gut and liver will work around the clock to meet the body’s environmental exposures and food choices. Every season brings different challenges: summer  dehydration, monsoon  possible infection, winter – fatty overload. Changing food habits and lifestyle based on the climate can protect both organs and support and naturally improve your immunity.

If you are experiencing any digestive upset or fatigue that could be a symptom of an imbalance in the liver, early diagnosis and medical care ensures your health. 

The experts at GEM Hospital will provide personalized treatment, nutrition advice, and advancements in liver & digestive treatment. 
 

Book an appointment to keep your gut and liver healthy all season long, every season!