Table of Contents >>
Indian summers are packed with memories and are awaited by everyone, whether adults or children. But we do not look forward to the unbearable days of continuous sweating, hot and dry skin, unquenchable thirst, dry mouth, dehydration, exhaustion, heat rashes, skin irritation, and the list just goes on.
These things often hinder our experience of the perfect summer we desire all year. But do not worry; we have got you! These body cooling foods for summer can do wonders in regulating your body temperature and will keep you fit and healthy to enjoy the most flawless and exquisite side of the Indian summers.
How Does Body Heat Affect Your Health?
- Heat Exhaustion – This is the body’s response to the excess loss of salts and water through excessive sweating.
- Heat Stroke – A heat stroke occurs when the body’s cooling mechanisms fail, and it can no longer regulate its own temperature.
- Heat Cramps – Low salt levels in muscles can cause painful cramps, which may further lead to heat exhaustion.
- Heat Rash – These are itchy, prickly red lumps or blisters often caused by hot and humid weather. This makes skincare very important during these warm, harsh months.
Best Body Cooling Foods to Beat the Indian Summer
Food is one of the best ways to beat this unbearable summer heat and stay fit. Tasty and healthy? The best combination to combat this heat. So, let us look at some of the best body-cooling foods, their benefits, and the exciting ways we can enjoy them.
Fruits for Body Cooling
Although fruits are nutritional powerhouses, consuming them at random times can upset the digestive system; hence, it is important to keep in mind the ideal time to consume fruits to avail their maximum benefit. The ideal time to consume fruits is:
- Early mornings on an empty stomach help with the body’s detoxification process.
- As evening snacks for an extra boost of energy.
- Avoid eating fruits close to bedtime, as they spike energy levels and lead to poor sleep.
- Consuming fruits right after a meal can be bad for your digestive system, as the combination of sugar and carbs can cause food fermentation.
A fruit-rich diet can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer and lower the risk of digestive issues. We must maintain a healthy diet of these body cooler fruits and take them in ideal quantities.
- Two servings of fruit are recommended.
- A serving should contain roughly 150g of fruit.
- It is necessary to have different kinds of fruits to maintain a balanced diet.
Simply slicing up your fruits can sometimes be boring. So, here are some ways in which you can consume your favourite fruits-
- Juice – What is better than a refreshing, icy cold glass of juice? You are good to go with just a few fresh fruit slices and a topping like mint, lemon, ginger, or sugar. You can make these delicious summer drinks at home. They are a sure way to replenish body fluids.
- Fruit Salad – Bite-sized pieces of your favourite body cooler fruits can be one of the most delicious evening snacks this summer.
- Popsicles – Natural fruits cut and frozen into popsicles might be the ideal way to consume fruits this summer.
Here, are some of the most important body cooling foods: info source: US Department Of Agriculture
1. Watermelon
Nutrition
- It contains antioxidants and important vitamins like A, B6, and C.
- It contains 90% water.
- It also contains essential minerals like Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Potassium.
Health Benefits
- Efficient body cooling fruit as it helps in carrying the toxins and heat away from the body.
- It helps in lowering blood pressure and aids in organ function.
- Watermelons enhance the quality of hair and skin.
- It also contains anti-cancer properties and can help in treating ulcerative colitis.
2. Banana
Nutrition
- Great source of energy.
- Consists of important minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium.
- Full of Vitamins like Vitamin B6 and C.
Health Benefits
- They provide instant energy, by replenishing electrolytes.
- Reduces heartburn and stomach irritation.
- Banana peels can help reduce skin irritation.
3. Orange
Nutrition
- It contains about 85% water.
- It is packed with important minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium.
- It also consists of high levels of vitamin C.
Health Benefits
- High levels of Vitamin C help in maintaining a healthy immune system.
- It can help prevent skin damage and keeps the skin from aging soon.
- Oranges help in the absorption of iron, which can help prevent anemia.
- Fibre in orange helps keep the blood sugar levels in check.
4. Grapes
Nutrition
- It contains 80% water.
- It is a great source of energy.
- Contains important minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron.
- Full of essential vitamins like vitamins K, B6, B1, C, and E.
Health Benefits
- These body cooling fruits have a high amount of water and contain lots of energy.
- Grapes are rich in anti-cancer substances.
- Potassium in grapes can help maintain blood pressure.
5. Ice Apple
Nutrition
- Great hydrant due to high water content.
- Contains a rich mix of protein and iron.
- Full of important vitamins like Vitamin C, A, K, E, and B7.
Health Benefits
- Keeps your body cool and prevents dehydration.
- Anti-inflammatory properties reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Has a soothing effect on sun rash, sunburns, and tans.
Vegetables for Body Cooling
Here, are some of the most important body cooling foods: info source: US Department Of Agriculture
Vegetables are great cool foods for summer and must be consumed daily to ensure the proper functioning of the body. They are versatile and can be eaten across seasons and at any time of the day. A few things to consider are-
- Vegetables are great for breakfast since they provide nutrients to boost our day and keep us hydrated.
- Vegetables should constitute a major part of our lunch to maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
- Vegetables like beans, cauliflower, and cabbage must be avoided before bedtime since their high fibre content can be hard to digest.
Vegetables are one of the tastiest and fastest ways to gain nutrition and positively affect our overall health. Vegetables can help lower the risk of stroke and keep our hearts healthy and sound. They greatly impact gut health as well. It is important to consume them in ideal quantities:
- At least five servings of vegetables are required.
- A serving should contain roughly 75g of vegetables.
- It is important to have a wide variety of vegetables to maintain a balanced diet.
- Soup – This can be a great way to get the nutrients of several vegetables all at once. You can further top it with your favourite spices to enhance the taste.
- Vegetable salad – A refreshing salad can sometimes be just what you need. Do not forget to add onions to keep your body cool. There you go, one of the best foods to keep your body cool.
- Smoothie – Vibrant vegetable smoothies are excellent cool summer drinks to up your vegetable intake. You can add your favourite extra supplements, such as cashews, nuts, and mint.
1. Bottle Gourd
Nutrition
- Contains 95% water.
- It has important minerals like Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, and Iron.
- Full of vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin B6.
Health Benefits
- Keeps the body hydrated and replenishes lost electrolytes.
- Fibre and water content in bottle gourd ensure a healthy gut.
- It helps regulate blood pressure.
- It is also an excellent skin cleanser and prevents skin cancer.
2. Cucumber
Nutrition
- Contains 95% water.
- It has important minerals like Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, and Iron.
- Full of vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin B6.
Health Benefits
- Keeps the body hydrated and replenishes lost electrolytes.
- Fibre and water content in bottle gourd ensure a healthy gut.
- It helps regulate blood pressure.
- It is also an excellent skin cleanser and prevents skin cancer.
3. Onion
Nutrition
- Contains 90% water
- Important minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc.
- It is rich in Vitamins like Vitamin C and B6.
- Onions are a good source of antioxidants.
Health Benefits
- Onion has a cooling property that helps regulate the body’s temperature.
- Potassium in onions can maintain blood pressure.
- Promotes gut health.
- Onion juice can also help soothe skin burns and inflammation.
4. Green leafy vegetables
Nutrition
- Contains 90% water
- Important minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc.
- It is rich in Vitamins like Vitamin C and B6.
- Onions are a good source of antioxidants.
Health Benefits
- Onion has a cooling property that helps regulate the body’s temperature.
- Potassium in onions can maintain blood pressure.
- Promotes gut health.
- Onion juice can also help soothe skin burns and inflammation.
Body Cooling Foods
We often count the days until our favourite summers are here. Warm, sunny, and bright summers just make everything look perfect! Well, this splendid weather is not the only thing we await; summer drinks and dishes are the ones that we truly miss. A few of the popular foods that reduce body heat include:
1. Curd Rice
One of the best body cooling foods that is often consumed in the afternoons after meals to aid digestion and keep our bodies cool. It also provides our body with energy. This simple dish of curd, rice, salt, and various Indian toppings like green chilies, curry leaves, cumin seeds, black gram, and pomegranate seeds is a tasty and simple way to ensure good gut health and combat harsh summers.
3. Coconut water
The slightly nutty flavour with a hint of sweetness is just what we need in the summer to replenish our lost electrolytes. Coconut water is helpful in more ways than one. Coconut water manages cholesterol levels and maintains good heart health. It also regulates blood pressure and is a great source of energy.
3. Aam Panna
A cool summer drink made from unripe mangoes and topped with cool mint leaves and black salt. Aam Panna is great for digestion and keeps the body cool. It is a rich source of various vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes.
Foods that You Must Avoid in Summer
Summer heat can be harsh on the body. We must ensure that we eat healthily so that our bodies can function without added stress. Hence, we must avoid certain food items that can upset our digestive system-
- Tea or coffee – These caffeinated drinks often raise the body’s overall temperature and can upset the digestive system. Instead, try consuming lemonades, aam panna, and chaas to hydrate yourself.
- Meat – Meat contains large amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, which can be hard to digest, increasing the pressure on the digestive system and further heating the body.
- Fried food – They are hard to digest and can make one feel bloated. Fried food also makes the skin oilier, which can lead to skin problems such as acne.
- Spicy food – Spicy food increases body heat, leading to excessive sweating and dehydration, and sickness.
- Pickles – They contain high amounts of sodium, which causes dehydration, and excessive consumption of pickles can lead to indigestion.
FAQ on Body Cooling Foods
For dinner in summer, we must have light food that is easy to digest to maintain a healthy gut. Some of these foods include- bottle gourd, coconut, onions and green leafy vegetables.
Indian foods consist of a wide variety of dishes that can help reduce body heat such as curd rice, aam panna, buttermilk, lassi and kokum juice.
Fruits that cool our body during summer are watermelon, muskmelon, citrus fruits, grapes and Lychee.
Summers can be harsh but here are a few steps we can take to prevent the harmful effects. Those include –
- Drink lots of water and replenish your electrolytes
- Wear loose cotton clothes
- Avoid intense outdoor activities.
- Consume foods that reduce body heat.
Foods to be avoided during summer include –
- Meat
- Tea / Coffee
- Fried food