Staying cool when temperatures reach record highs isn't just about comfort. Dangerously high temperatures could result in heat-related illnesses ranging from heat cramps to heat exhaustion and heat stroke (hyperthermia). Hyperthermia is an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the heat regulating mechanisms of the body to deal with the heat coming from the environment.
How to Keep Body Cool with Dietary Tips
1
Eat Right Foods
Food choices can make a big difference in keeping your body cool.
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Sweet, ripe fruits like peaches, pineapples, cherries, plums, mangoes, and avocados, are perfect.
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Bitter foods, such as green leafy vegetables, celery, kale, broccoli, sprouts, cucumbers, and asparagus are good hot weather choices.
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Astringent foods like dried beans, lentils, grape skins, green apples, pomegranates, cauliflower, and tea also work well.
Below are some specific foods and why they're helpful:
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Radish |
Aside from being water-rich, this vegetable has an antioxidant that lowers body heat, and is a rich source of vitamin C. Radishes are also effective for fighting off heat stress, because it has anti-inflammatory properties as well. |
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Coconut water |
The water in coconut is rich in vitamins and minerals and drinking coconut water helps reduce the effects of body heat and avoid dehydration. |
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Watermelon |
This water-rich melon is very effective in reducing body heat. Have a slice in the middle of the day to get some fiber, extra water, and a good dose of vitamins A and C. |
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Honeydew melon |
Either have slices of the melon, or combine it with some milk and sugar to make a refreshing mid-day drink. It is also rich in potassium along with being a low calorie fruit. |
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Certain seeds |
Eat a handful of poppy seeds with water before going to sleep. Poppy seeds regulate body temperature, and help to induce sleep. Or soak fennel seeds in water overnight. Strain and have the water in the morning to regulate body heat. |
2
Avoid Foods That Heat You Up
If you want to know how to keep body cool, knowing which food to avoid is equally important as food to eat. When the body is already hot, the last thing you need is to heat it even more with spicy food.
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Try to avoid chilies, hot peppers and salsa. Small amounts of black pepper, ginger, and cumin are fine, but avoid cayenne.
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Sour foods like sour cream, yogurt, and cheese all add to body heat during the summer.
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Also limit very salty foods; they will leave you dehydrated and prone to overheating.
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Skip the onion, tomatoes, garlic, beets and spinach whenever possible.
3
Avoid Ice Cold Drinks
Surprisingly, room temperature beverages might be a good way to keep you cool. While we need to keep our bodies cool, it is even more important to keep our digestion strong. Your digestive system produces heat for converting food into energy. However, when you drink ice cold drinks, you are effectively cooling down the digestive metabolism that is necessary to keep our bodies functioning correctly.
