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As Pahela Boishakh knocks at the door, the air is thick with anticipation, festivity—and rising temperatures. During the Bengali New Year festivities, traditional musical rhythms and festive kitchen scents create a celebration that builds joy and the Bengali cultural spirit.
The season holds a fundamental warning that Boishakh brings festive joy, but its arrival signals that harsh summer heat will soon envelop the region. Many parts of the country experience temperatures exceeding 38°C during April, and this year has proven no different.
When people attend outdoor gatherings, they face two dangerous risks since they spend long hours under the sun and eat weighty feasts and sugary beverages; this leads them to be at risk of extremely dangerous heatstroke heatstroke.
Under present climate conditions, the dangerous combination of prolonged outdoor activities during intense South Asian summers, heavy festive meals, and sugary beverages becomes even more risky.
Doctors report a rising number of heatstroke cases over recent years, with particular impacts on both young people and elderly participants at Mangal Shobhajatra and Baishakhi fairs taking place out in the open. Heatstroke conditions exceed simple heat-related exhaustion because they reflect when body mechanisms fail to control core temperature. Rapid heartbeat and nausea, along with dry skin and disorientation, are symptoms of heatstroke heatstroke, with unconsciousness presenting as the most severe manifestation. The good news? The right food choices and proper hydration measures can help prevent heatstroke.
The silent threat of heatstroke
The first signs of heatstroke develop through exhaustion, lightheadedness, vomiting, and muscle contractions. This condition gets worse when untreated, which may cause a person to lose consciousness or lead to fatal outcomes.
The primary strategy for avoiding heatstroke is maintaining proper hydration, removing heat-retaining foods, and learning which dishes to consume throughout the festive period.
According to Nutritionists, people should carefully consider eating spicy or greasy foods while reflecting on their daily consumption.
Hydration mistakes hiding in plain sight
When temperatures rise, we naturally desire cold beverages. Our sun-warmed days tend to make us grab quick refreshments such as soft drinks, yet these choices typically lead to more significant damage than benefits.
Soft drinks are available in bottles along with energy beverages, and plenty of packaged juice products contain substantial amounts of sugar and additional ingredients. Drinking these beverages leads to minimum hydration benefits and increased water loss due to increased urination.
Traditional summer coolers have remained the popular choice for Bengali families since they provide a better solution for hydration than industrial drinks. By processing wood apple pulp into 'Bael shorbat,' people can benefit from high fibre content and antioxidants that help digestion.
A simple mixture of water, lemon, and salt, known as 'lebu pani,' is an effective dehydration prevention tool.
Daily consumption of this beverage maintains balanced sodium levels, mainly during extended outdoor sessions. Top hydration choices include tokma (basil seed) drinks, which deliver digestive benefits and refreshments. Coconut water functions as nature's sports drink because it contains essential potassium and natural sugars without causing adverse reactions.
Eat light, stay cool
While food is central to Boishakh celebrations, not every festive dish is heat-friendly. Traditional fare—think rich meat curries, deep-fried snacks, and spice-laden sides—though indulgent, can increase the body's heat load and slow down digestion.
Spicy foods, particularly those with mustard or green chilli, raise body temperature and stimulate sweating, leading to faster fluid loss. Each heavy food eaten during peak daylight increases the burden on body systems, leading to more significant heat stress and heightened fatigue and discomfort.
The natural water content of lau (bottle gourd), chichinga (ridge gourd) and pui shaak (Malabar spinach) makes them cooling dishes that can hydrate the body. A midday meal consisting of these vegetables with plain rice or lightly spiced daal maintains both festive and functional characteristics.
Seasonal fruits: Nature's hydration solution
Seasonal fruits like watermelon, cucumber, papaya, guava and oranges provide delicious refreshment and abundant water content with vital electrolytes.
Watermelon exceeds 90% water composition, along with its antioxidant lycopene that safeguards against sun exposure. Eating local cucumber snacks has two advantageous effects, it nourishes the body by hydrating it.
It provides a calming impact on digestive health. Papaya enhances digestion primarily after eating heavier food portions, and bananas help replace essential minerals lost during sweating.
Timing matters
Substantial oil-covered meals should be consumed minimally during midday hours. The best meal plan involves eating smaller portions throughout the day while shifting heavy festive food servings to evening hours after temperatures fall.
Be hydrated
Consistent water intake and other critical behavioural changes are essential. Don't wait to feel thirsty.
The human body starts showing symptoms of slight dehydration before the person becomes aware of dehydration. Drinking small water bottle servings every 30 to 40 minutes outside creates substantial protection against heat-induced medical issues.
The dress also plays a role
Wearing loose, light-coloured cotton clothing helps the skin breathe better and avoids excessive heat absorption. When you visit outdoor events or parades, keep an umbrella and sunglasses handy while resting in shaded areas.
Returning to traditional roots creates deep sustainability through two aspects, which include health benefits and cultural protection. The celebration of Boishakh becomes meaningful through our choices to replace bottled soda with bael, fast food with chira, and fried snacks with watermelon. This lifestyle-conscious method's essential character will grow substantially due to changing climate patterns and intensifying summer conditions.
During Boishakh, we commemorate both cultural customs and fresh beginnings.
Present-day traditions need to align with public understanding to fulfil current expectations. Maintaining awareness about our diet allows us to experience festive activities without jeopardising our well-being.
BSc Honors (3rd year), Food and Nutrition, Govt. College of Applied Human Science
jarinrafa20@gmail.com