Fruits should occupy food chart every day.

In summer, few adjustments are to be made to suit the seasonal challenges. It is well known that watery fruits are to be taken regularly during this season to keep ourselves hydrated and fulfill nutritional requirements. Ayurveda’s understanding of fruits is comprehensive starting from taste to potency and special attributes. Tastes to be avoided during summer are sour and pungent. Going by this, citrus fruits are to be taken off from consumption. But this doesn’t correlate because many places India have summer drinks rich in lemon. Ayurveda says that the acidic effect of lemon can be neutralized by consuming with salt. Best among the salts is Saindhava ( Rock salt) which can be added to lemon juice. If further cooling of the system is required palm candy can be added instead of salt. The purpose of lemon juice is for sustaining appetite which is slightly low due to summer. Typically water rich fruits that can be utilized in summer are Watermelon, musk melon, pineapple ( not in gastritis) palmyra fruit ( nungu) are the best. Apple is to be used in moderation and not at night. Mangoes are available in plenty in Summer but there is a restriction on their usage. Mangoes are not water-rich but they are capable of controlling Vata dosha only if sweet and fully ripe. Most importantly, they are to be consumed along with their pericarp to avoid irritability of bowel and should never be consumed as milk shake ( incompatible combination) Mangoes when consumed cold from refrigerator can trigger continuous dry cough and care is needed in this regard. To conclude, fruits when taken directly are more beneficial than their juice extracted using mixers.