10 refreshing foods to keep your body cool in summer
Health tips: Regulating body temperature is crucial for maintaining good health, particularly in hot weather or due to factors like infections or medical conditions. Here are some foods to combat increased body heat, incorporating these cooling foods into your diet could be beneficial.
Our body employs complex mechanisms, with the hypothalamus in the brain playing a pivotal role through the autonomic nervous system. However, various factors can disrupt this balance, leading to heightened body heat. Increased body heat can stem from environmental factors such as high temperatures, excessive sun exposure, or wearing non-breathable clothing. Infections trigger the body's immune response, resulting in fever as a defense mechanism. Conditions like hyperthyroidism can lead to excessive thyroid hormone production, causing elevated body heat. Additionally, certain medications may induce heat production as a side effect. To combat increased body heat, incorporating cooling foods into the diet can be beneficial. Here are some options: (Image: Canva).
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Coconut water: According to Mumbai- based dietician Niharika Kumar, this hydrating beverage replenishes fluids and electrolytes, aiding in maintaining balance and cooling down the body. (Image: Canva).
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Watermelon: With its high-water content and antioxidants, watermelon hydrates the body and provides essential nutrients to reduce body heat. (Image: Canva).
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Mint: Mint leaves aid digestion and possess cooling properties, helping regulate body temperature and providing a refreshing sensation, says Kumar. (Image: Canva).
Banana: Known for their cooling properties, bananas replenish lost fluids and detoxify the body, making them suitable for combating heat. (Image: Canva).
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Buttermilk: Rich in probiotics, buttermilk aids digestion, improves metabolism, and keeps the body cool and hydrated. (Image: Canva).
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Cucumber: With its high-water content and detoxifying properties, cucumber reduces body heat and maintains hydration levels. (Image: Canva).
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Lemon water: Rich in Vitamin C, lemon water moisturises and oxygenates the body, enhancing heat tolerance and providing relief from discomfort. (Image: Canva).
Celery: Abundant in water and essential minerals, celery keeps the body hydrated and detoxified, serving as an effective cooling food option. (Image: Canva).
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Indian bael juice: Known for its anti-fungal properties and nutritional benefits, Indian Bael juice acts as a refreshing coolant during hot weather. (Image: Canva).
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Sugarcane juice: Acting as a natural energy booster, sugarcane juice replenishes fluids and restores energy levels, aiding in staying cool and hydrated. (Image: Canva).
Nivedita is a Delhi-based journalist who writes on health, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment. Views expressed are personal.
