A severe heatwave that reached 45–47 degrees in several areas of North India, including Delhi, has made it crucial to take precautions against heat exposure in order to prevent heatstroke, dehydration, and other heat-related ailments. Elevated body temperatures can cause severe harm to the brain, heart, kidneys, and other organs, as well as other chronic problems. It is imperative that you stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day and stay well-hydrated by drinking lots of water, as well as fruits, vegetables, buttermilk, nimbu paani, and coconut water.

The body’s natural capacity to regulate temperature may be severely compromised above 45 degrees or higher, which can result in disorders like heat stroke, which can cause fever, disorientation, dizziness, or seizures. Extended exposure to high temperatures might potentially harm vital organs such as the heart, brain, and other tissues. If proper measures are not taken to cool the body down, it may potentially be deadly.

According to Dr. Tushar Tayal, Consultant in Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital in Gurugram, exposure to outside temperatures more than 45°C (113°F) can have detrimental, even fatal, impacts on human health.

Heat stroke can result from the body’s inability to control its internal temperature at such high temperatures. High body temperature (over 40°C or 104°F), disorientation, unconsciousness, and occasionally convulsions are among the symptoms. Heat stroke can be fatal if medical attention is not received right away. Severe dehydration results from the body losing fluids quickly through perspiration in an effort to cool down. According to the specialist, “this can result in symptoms like intense thirst, dry mouth, decreased urine production, and in severe cases, confusion, dizziness, and fainting.”

Unsettling consequences of the heatwave

Dr. Tayal lists further negative consequences of being in a severe heatwave:

Damage to the brain and heart: Hyperthermia, or dangerously elevated body temperature, can be brought on by extended exposure to intense heat. If left untreated, this illness can harm the muscles, heart, brain, kidneys, and kidneys, which can result in long-term health problems or even death.

Extended exposure to high temperatures can result in heat exhaustion, a milder type of heat-related disease. Severe perspiration, weakness, headache, nausea, dizziness, and cramping in the muscles are some of the symptoms. It can develop into heat stroke if left untreated.

Skin damage: High temperatures can lead to serious skin damage, such as sunburn and, in severe cases, second-degree burns, especially when accompanied with bright sunshine. Long-term exposure to UV radiation can also raise the chance of developing skin cancer.

cites the following five important health impacts of temperatures rising beyond 45 degrees:

1. Heat stroke and exhaustion
The body finds it difficult to regulate its temperature when it is exposed to high temperatures over prolonged periods of time. Heat exhaustion may result from this, which is characterised by symptoms including headaches, nausea, dizziness, and profuse perspiration. Heat exhaustion can develop into heat stroke, a potentially fatal illness when the body’s ability to regulate its temperature fails, if it is not treated quickly. Heat stroke is characterised by a high body temperature (over 40 degrees Celsius), disorientation, a fast heartbeat, and unconsciousness. Getting medical help right away is essential to avoiding fatalities or major problems.

2. Lack of fluids
The body quickly loses water through perspiration when it is really hot, trying to cool down. Insufficient consumption of fluids may result in dehydration. When the body loses more fluids than it takes in, it becomes dehydrated and can’t perform its regular tasks. Dehydration symptoms include weariness, dizziness, dark urine, dry mouth, and decreased urination. Electrolyte abnormalities, shock, and renal damage can result from severe dehydration.

3. Stress on the heart
Elevated body temperature exerts additional strain on the cardiovascular system. Blood arteries dilate (expand) to remove heat, and the heart beats harder to pump more blood to the skin’s surface. This increased effort raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes and can worsen pre-existing cardiac problems. Extreme heat events put older people, those with cardiovascular disease, and people with hypertension at risk.

4. Issues with breathing
Because ground-level ozone and other pollutants are more concentrated in warm weather, the quality of the air might deteriorate. The combination of high temperatures and poor air quality can worsen respiratory ailments including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Additionally, heat encourages the spread of allergens and particulate particles, which worsens respiratory conditions.

5. Skin issues and heat rash
Heat rash, which is characterised by sweating and prolonged exposure to high temperatures, can result in swollen and clogged sweat ducts, which can produce pain and itchy red lumps on the skin. Furthermore, too much sun exposure raises the possibility of being sunburned, which damages skin and raises the chance of developing skin cancer. In periods of intense heat, wearing adequate clothes and sunscreen is vital to protecting the skin.

Preventative actions

To lessen the damaging effects of intense heat on health

Keep yourself hydrated by drinking a lot of water all day long, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Steer clear of coffee and alcohol since they might dehydrate the body.

Keep cool by spending time in air-conditioned spaces throughout the hottest parts of the day. Take cold showers, use fans, and dress in airy, loose-fitting clothing.

Minimise outdoor activity: Steer clear of vigorous activities, especially during the warmest times of the day. If you must go outside, make sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent rests in the shade.

Keep an eye on those who are susceptible: Due to their increased vulnerability to heat-related diseases, keep a watch on the elderly, young children, and individuals with ongoing medical issues.

Use sunscreen: To shield your skin from damaging UV rays, slather on a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF.

Being aware of the rising temperatures and being prepared are essential to avoiding health problems associated to heat. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe from the risks of severe heat by keeping up with weather predictions and heat advisories and by taking preventative measures.

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The food regulatory body FSSAI has instructed vendors and owners of food businesses to refrain from using the banned substance “calcium carbide” to ripen fruits. “Traders’/fruits handlers’/Food Business Operators (FBOs) operating ripening chambers to strictly ensure compliance with the prohibition on calcium carbide for artificial ripening of fruits, particularly during the mango season,” the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stated in an official statement.

In accordance with the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006, and rules and regulations established thereunder, the Food Safety Departments of the states and Union territories have also been directed by the FSSAI to maintain vigilance, take severe action, and deal harshly with any individual(s) engaging in such unlawful actions.

“Calcium carbide, which is frequently used to ripen crops like mangoes, generates acetylene gas, which has dangerous levels of phosphorus and arsenic.

“These substances, also known as ‘Masala’, can cause serious health issues such as dizziness, frequent thirst, irritation, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting and skin ulcers, etc,” stated the FSSAI.

Furthermore, handling acetylene gas poses an equivalent risk to one’s safety.

“There are chances that calcium carbide may come in direct contact with fruits during application and leave residues of arsenic and phosphorus on fruits,” the agency stated.

The Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 forbid the use of calcium carbide for fruit ripening due to these risks.

The legislation states expressly, “No person shall sell or offer or expose for sale or have in his premises for the purpose of sale under any description, fruits which have been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas”.

The FSSAI has approved the use of ethylene gas as a safer substitute for calcium carbide, which is widely used in India, in light of the problem of its widespread usage.

Depending on the crop, type, and maturity, ethylene gas can be utilised at quantities of up to 100 parts per millilitre.

Fruit hormone ethylene, which is present naturally, starts and controls a number of chemical and physiological processes that lead to fruit ripening.

When ethylene gas is applied to unripe fruits, the fruit begins to naturally ripen until significant amounts of ethylene are produced by the fruit itself.

Additionally, Ethephon 39 percent SL has been approved by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC) for the consistent ripening of mangoes and other fruits.

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Ivy gourd, or kundru, is a staple of Indian cooking and goes by several regional names in Gujarat, Goa, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Bihar, and Karnataka, including tendli, kovakkai, dondakaya, tindora, tonde kayi, and toruni. While the distinct flavour of kundru shines through in any dish, the nutrient-dense vegetable may also take on somewhat diverse flavours from other types of tadka and locally sourced components.

Not only is kundru a delicious and versatile vegetable, but it also has therapeutic properties that make it a valuable addition to any diet. Kundru is used to cure a wide range of illnesses and infections and is mentioned in ancient manuscripts dating back to 5000–6000 BC. The vegetable was employed in many traditional Ayurvedic treatments, including as Panchakarma therapy, by several ancient Ayurvedic doctors. Diabetes, skin conditions, and intestinal worms were among the other conditions for which it was administered.

Beta-carotene, which is abundant in kundru, is particularly beneficial in maintaining heart health and preventing cardiac conditions. Kundru is a low-calorie vegetable that contains a lot of water and other important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Kundru is rich in dietary fibre, iron, calcium, vitamins B1 and B2, and other nutrients that support general health. Eating kundru can improve all facets of your health, whether you’re trying to control your diabetes or reduce weight. Kundru has numerous amazing advantages, some of which include better digestion, kidney stone prevention, immunity against allergens, and tiredness relief.

Diabetes is treated using the juice of the leaves and roots. While the plant is used as a laxative, the leaves are utilised as a poultice to cure skin outbreaks.

“Kundru, often referred to as Coccinia grandis or ivy gourd, is a common vegetable in Indian homes. This green, crisp vegetable delivers a potent nutritional punch, even though it’s sometimes overlooked in the larger scheme of superfoods, according to Dr. Piyush Mishra, General Physician & Immunisation Officer, North East District, New Delhi.

Incredible advantages of Kundru, or Ivy gourd

Seven incredible advantages of include kundru in your diet:

1. Packed with nutrients
Kundru is a vegetable high in nutrients. It is a great source of vitamins A and C, which are essential for immune building, healthy skin, and clear vision. It also offers a healthy dose of dietary fibre, which is crucial for gut health.

2. Encourages healthy weight control
Kundru is a great addition to the diet for anyone trying to control their weight. It has a high fibre and water content and little calories, which prolongs your feeling of fullness. This can help with weight reduction or maintenance by lowering total caloric consumption.

3. Controls blood glucose levels
In Ayurvedic medicine, kundrul has long been used to treat diabetes. It includes bioactive substances that support blood sugar management. Kundru is advantageous for diabetics and those at risk of developing the disease since it can help maintain stable blood glucose levels throughout meals.

4. Promotes heart health
Kundru intake can have a significant positive impact on heart health. It has antioxidants like beta-carotene that assist cardiovascular health by lowering inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, the presence of fibre in it lowers cholesterol, which is good for heart health.

5. Promotes better intestinal health
Kundru’s high fibre content contributes to the upkeep of a wholesome digestive tract. It encourages regular bowel motions and aids in the prevention of constipation. Additionally, the high water content keeps the digestive system hydrated, which promotes easier digestion.

6. Boosts immunity
Vitamin C, which is essential for bolstering the immune system, is abundant in kundru. White blood cells, which are vital for battling infections, are produced and operate better when vitamin C is present. Kundru ingestion on a regular basis can provide a stronger immunological response.

7. The ability to reduce inflammation
Kundru’s ability to reduce inflammation has been well-documented. It is packed with several phytonutrients that can aid in lowering the body’s inflammatory response. This is especially advantageous for those with inflammatory diseases like arthritis.

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