- HEALTH
Summer-Friendly Foods and Healthy Habits
How to Stay Healthy This Summer
These days, buses and subways are usually well air-conditioned. Still, the constant blast of cold air on your face and skin can feel uncomfortable. Step outside, and you’re hit with a completely different world—scorching heat and strong sunlight that can leave you feeling drained in seconds.
In summer, moving back and forth between hot outdoor air and chilly indoor spaces often makes it easier to catch a cold or feel run down. On top of that, strong UV rays, cold drinks and foods, and everyday stress can gradually weaken your immune system.
That’s why summer is the perfect time to pay a little extra attention to your health through balanced meals and light, regular exercise. Let’s take a closer look at the foods and habits that can help you stay healthy and energized all summer long.
According to researchers at Harvard Medical School, consistently eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts can reduce the risk of death from all causes by more than 20%.
[Source] Ahmad, S. et al. (2024). Mediterranean diet adherence and risk ofall-cause mortality in women.
JAMA Network Open, 7(5), e2414322.
Especially in summer, when heat and humidity can reduce appetite and cause dehydration, it’s important to support your health by getting the right nutrients. Foods that are especially good for this season include tomatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, bananas, and sweet potatoes, which help keep the body refreshed and nourished.
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Tomatoes
Rich in vitamin C and lycopene, tomatoes provide powerful antioxidant benefits and help strengthen the immune system. Their high water and fiber content also helps keep the body hydrated and supports healthy digestion.
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Watermelon
Often called the ultimate summer fruit, watermelon helps keep you hydrated while being low in calories and rich in fiber. It also contains vitamin C and carotene, which help support a healthy immune system.
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Cucumber
With their high water content and rich supply of fiber and minerals, cucumbers help support digestion and keep the body feeling refreshed. They also contain natural antioxidants that support healthy skin and help strengthen immunity.
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Banana
A great fruit for a quick energy boost. Rich in carbohydrates, vitamin B6, potassium, and fiber, it helps keep you energized and supports healthy digestion.
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Sweet Potato
Rich in fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and potassium, sweet potatoes help nourish the body and support digestion. They are also high in anthocyanins, which provide antioxidant benefits and help support a healthy immune system.
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During summer, strong sunlight and daily stress can increase free radicals in the body. When this happens, immunity may weaken and fatigue can build up, which can also speed up the aging process. Here are some popular functional foods that help reduce the effects of free radicals, support faster recovery from fatigue, and strengthen the immune system by activating immune cells.
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The Mixed Extracts in HemoHIM Including Angelica Gigas → HemoHIM
A blend of Angelica Gigas, Cnidium Officinale, and Paeonia Japonica that has been clinically studied and shown to help support immune function and aid recovery from fatigue.
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Red Ginseng → Hongsamdan
Contains ginsenosides (saponins) and offers multiple benefits, including immune support, fatigue reduction, improved blood circulation, memory support, and antioxidant effects.
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Vitamin C → Atomy Vital Color Vitamin C
Helps protect cells, supports the formation and maintenance of connective tissue, and neutralizes free radicals through its antioxidant action.
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Spirulina → Atomy 100% Pure Spirulina
A blue-green algae grown in clean, warm waters, spirulina is gaining attention as a future protein source. In addition to its antioxidant benefits, it can help prevent nutrient deficiencies during summer and may help relieve allergic rhinitis.
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Green Tea → Atomy Organic Green Tea
Rich in catechins, the natural compounds that give green tea its slightly bitter taste, it helps neutralize free radicals and supports immune health.
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Avocado → Atomy 100% Extra Virgin Avocado Oil (Avocare)
Avocados are rich in vitamin E and oleic acid, which help support skin health and overall immune function.
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In summer, overuse of air conditioning can lead to what is often called “air conditioner sickness,” which may cause symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and indigestion. These symptoms are more likely to occur when there is a large temperature difference between indoors and outdoors and when indoor air is too dry.
When the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures exceeds about 5°C, the body’s autonomic nervous system may have difficulty adjusting, which can trigger discomfort. To stay comfortable, it’s best to keep indoor temperatures between 24–27°C and adjust them gradually in line with the outdoor temperature.
When air conditioners run for a long time, people tend to keep the windows closed to keep the room cool. But this can make the air indoors feel stuffy, and harmful substances and chemical pollutants can slowly build up, which may affect our breathing. Using the air conditioner for long hours also lowers indoor humidity, drying out the nose and throat and causing symptoms like coughing or a sore throat. After about an hour of air conditioning, indoor humidity can drop to around 30–40%. Even though it might feel like a waste to let the cool air out, opening the windows regularly is important for keeping the air fresh and maintaining healthy humidity levels.
Drinking enough water is essential for keeping your body cool and replacing electrolytes like sodium and potassium that are lost through sweat. It also helps with digestion and nutrient absorption and keeps your skin healthy, hydrated, and elastic. This becomes even more important in summer, when sweating increases. For adults, the recommended daily water intake is about 1.5–2 liters, while growing children are advised to drink 2.3–3.3 liters per day. In addition to drinking water, eating water-rich foods like watermelon and cucumber is a great way to stay hydrated.
Hot weather can make everything feel tiring, and it’s easy to want to stay still. But even light movement can really help your body. Gentle exercise improves blood circulation, helping white blood cells fight germs and red blood cells deliver oxygen throughout your body. Instead of exercising in the heat of the day, try going for a relaxed walk around your neighborhood after dinner. You’ll likely feel more refreshed and clear-headed.
Sleep is just as important, especially in summer when the heat can make it hard to fall asleep. Most adults need about 7–8 hours of sleep a night. The hours between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. are especially important, as this is when melatonin—a hormone that supports the immune system—is released. Going to bed a bit earlier is one of the easiest ways to strengthen your overall health.
[Reference] Seoul Asan Medical Center News: Tips to Prevent Air-Conditioning Sickness in Summer
Korea Health Functional Food Association Posting: Be Healthier
Baekse Sidae (http://www.100ssd.co.kr)


