The scorching heat of summer can take a toll on your body. From dehydration to heat-stroke, exposing your body to excessive heat can harm your body.
While you may reach for ice cream or cold drinks to cool down, what you eat matters, too. However, there are plenty of healthy body cooling foods that can help you beat the heat.
From juicy fruits to crunchy vegetables, I’ve got you covered if you’re looking for a way to cool down. Check out the below list of the 13 best body cooling foods that will help you stay cool.
Also read: 13 Cool Drinks To Keep You Hydrated This Summer
13 Foods For Cooling Your Body
Watermelon
People have been eating watermelon ever since it was first introduced to the world, but they probably don’t know that it helps to cool the body and lowers the body temperature when consumed.
Watermelon is 92% water, which makes it an excellent choice for those trying to stay hydrated, but who want to eat something sweet at the same time. A 1-cup serving of watermelon has just 54 calories, making it a guilt-free snack.
It is also a good source of potassium and magnesium, which are two minerals that help regulate body temperature.
Curd
Curd is one of the most common foods consumed, especially during summer.
Eating curd helps to cool down your body and improve your digestion. People often eat curd before going outside or make lassi or boondi raita from it to hydrate themselves.
Furthermore, curd is a probiotic, which means eating it will benefit your gut health.
Also read: 12 Amazing Health Benefits Of Curd That You Never Knew
Buttermilk
Buttermilk is one of the most common body cooling foods people drink in summer. It is a fermented dairy drink that can be prepared in various ways. You can consume it straight or can also use it in cooking.
Furthermore, drinking buttermilk on summer days helps regulate blood pressure and temperature in your body.
Coconut water
Coconut water is one of the most effective cooling drinks for your body because it is naturally rich in nutrients, like electrolytes (particularly potassium) and antioxidants that help keep you hydrated.
Not only does it taste great, but it’s also a natural, healthy alternative to soda that helps to cool down your body from the inside.
Furthermore, coconut water is a natural source of sugar, which helps to replenish your body after sports activities or workouts.
Cucumber
Cucumber is not only a delicious, nutrient-rich treat, it’s also one of the best body cooling foods to eat when you’re overheated. Cucumbers are 95% water, and water is one of the best things you can consume when you’re feeling hot and bothered.
It also contains antioxidants and minerals that help to improve the function of the body’s cooling system.
Here are some ways to include cucumbers in your diet:
- Add sliced cucumbers to your salad.
- You can make a refreshing cucumbers raita.
- Include chopped cucumbers in your smoothie for an added crunch.
- You can make cucumber juice at home.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a great food to eat when you’re trying to cool down your body. They are high in water content and contain many vitamins and minerals. Eating tomatoes can help replace the fluids you’ve lost, and the potassium in them can help regulate your body temperature.
In addition to the cooling effect, tomatoes are a great source of antioxidants that help protect your body cells from the damage caused by free radicals.
Here are some ways to include tomatoes in your diet:
- Add a slice of tomato to your toast at breakfast or salsa
- Add diced tomatoes to your breakfast omelet or scrambled eggs.
- Enjoy a salad with the many varieties of available tomatoes.
- Make a simple tomato soup.
Celery
Celery is a green, leafy vegetable that is very low in calories yet high in fiber.
It’s an excellent vegetable that contains roughly 95% water and provides a cooling effect on your body even on a hot day.
Apart from providing a cooling effect, it is good for your skin, hair and nails and also helps to lower blood pressure.
Peaches
Peaches are nutrient-dense summer fruits high in water content(89%).
They also provide several essential vitamins and minerals for your body that helps to keep your health in check.
In addition, peaches are a good source of potassium and magnesium, both of which help your body stay hydrated, so you’re not as likely to experience cramps, dehydration, and heat exhaustion.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a fruit that is almost as juicy as watermelons. It’s 90% water with essential nutrients and minerals that can help you beat the heat on hot days.
Moreover, cantaloupe is an excellent source of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium that helps with body temperature regulation.
Oranges
There’s a good reason people reach for an orange when they’re feeling hot and bothered. The fruit is a natural way to cool down the body and lower your core temperature.
Oranges are high in water content, more than 80% water which helps the body stay hydrated.
Furthermore, oranges are a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C that helps to remove harmful toxins from your body.
Here are some ways to include oranges in your diet.
- You can eat them as a snack.
- Use oranges in smoothies or yogurt bowls.
- You can drink orange juice.
- Include oranges in your fruits salad.
Strawberries
Summer is not complete without the mention of the heavenly fruit strawberry. It has been a favorite of many.
Strawberries are high in water content(90%), which helps release the excess heat from your body system after eating.
Lemon water
Nothing can beat the taste and freshness of chilled lemon water in summer.
Lemon water is an age-old remedy for cooling down the body. Drinking lemon water helps to improve digestion and flush out toxins.
Furthermore, lemons are high in Vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants which help to boost the immune system and fight against infection.
Also read: 9 Surprising Disadvantages of Drinking Lemon Water Daily
Mints
Mint is a herb that is used in both food and drink. It has a strong, refreshing flavour and is often used to cool the body in summer. It contains menthol, which is a natural cooling agent.
It also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can help keep the body healthy during the summer.
Here are some ways to use mint:
- You can use mint leaves to prepare a mint tea.
- Mint can be added to salads or used as a garnish on dishes.
- Buy an essential oil that is made from the mint.
- Add mint leaves to your smoothies or juices.
Foods to avoid to keep yourself cool?
While there are foods that can help you cool your body, there are also some foods that you need to avoid to keep yourself cool.
Here are some foods you should avoid on a hot day:
- Caffeinated drinks: Caffeine is a diuretic that advances dehydration in the body.
- Nuts: Eating nuts generate heat in the body.
- Meat: Meat is not easy to digest and put high pressure on the digestive system.
- Spicy foods: Eating too much spicy food increases the body heat and results in excessive sweating, leading to dehydration and sickness.
- Fried foods: Fried foods is not easy to digest and can lead to constipation or gas.
Final words
Summer can be a challenging time to keep your body temperature regulated. But if you include the above foods in your diet, you can beat the heat.
So next time you’re feeling the heat, don’t reach for the ice cream or sugary sodas – try one of these natural and healthy body cooling foods instead!
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