As the Mercury starts rising and drinking gazillion litres of water is not making a difference, the best way to keep your body cool this summer is by keeping your diet right. This will reduce internal heat and make you feel more comfortable with the soaring temperatures. While cold drinks and frozen desserts might seem cooling, they are not. Instead, they affect you adversely. Here is our list of eight foods that will cool you down and keep you healthy.
‘Cool as a cucumber’- heard that one, right? Cucumbers instantly hydrate the body and bring down the body heat. Snack on them as a salad or with your favourite dip or blitz them into a juice with ginger and some lemon. There is no wrong way to consume them.
Also Read: Is Cucumber a Fruit? Debunking the Popular Myth
Watermelons and musk melons sell like hot cakes in summers. Juicy and full of nutrients that the body needs, the melons make for great summer companions. Not only do they hydrate but boost the body with power-packed nutrients like Vitamin B, magnesium, potassium and fibre.
The green leafy vegetables are high in nutrient value, calcium and provide a good cooling effect on the body. Spinach, lettuce, Amaranth, Chinese cabbage and kale are your summer talismans. They can be had in smoothies, salads or as a side dish in a meal.
In my opinion, cucumber juice can work wonders for your skin. It’s not just refreshing to drink, but it might also have nourishing properties when applied topically. Cucumber juice may have a soothing effect on the skin, helping to calm down irritation and reduce swelling. And if you’ve spent too much time in the sun, cucumber may even help ease the pain of sunburn.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
The Indian drink of the summers is buttermilk and the wisdom of the ages shines through. Not only does it keep you hydrated but it also is beneficial for digestion. Have it with roasted cumin seeds, fresh coriander and some ginger to add zing to your day.
Read More: 11 Health Benefits of Buttermilk
The king of fruits is your best alternative to reducing body heat. There are myriad ways of incorporating it into your diet. Have it raw, as aam Panna- that quintessential summer drink, as chutney or curry. Mangoes are great for digestion, cure heat strokes and boost energy. Also, read more about the health benefits of mangoes.
Also Read: Benefits of Cucumber Water: A Deep Dive into Its Refreshing Wellness Perks
From experience, let me tell you about the magic of buttermilk! It’s like a magical potion that can work wonders for slowing down the ageing process. By nourishing our bodies with its rich nutrients, buttermilk may keep our arteries flexible and might also help combat age-related symptoms such as memory decline, vision problems, wrinkles, and greying hair. Cheers to a youthful and vibrant life with the goodness of buttermilk!
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
The easiest way to add flavour to your glass of water is to have it with lemon. They boost the immune system, make your skin glow and add a healthy dose of Vitamin C to your diet. So drink up as lemonade made with plain water or add a dash of lemon to your juices and salads.
From what I’ve seen, mango is much more than just a delicious fruit. It contains bioactive components that may have anticancer activity in various types of tumour cells.
Dr. Smita barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
Packed with calcium, curd should be your go-to option for a healthy summer alternative to cold fizzy drinks. Rich with Vitamin B and gut-friendly bacteria, curd soothes the body from within. Add flavour to it by mixing it with mangoes, strawberries and other fruits. It can also be had as Shrikhand. Read more on the health benefits of yoghurt.
From my perspective, I’ve learned that lemons are more than just a tangy fruit. They may hold incredible benefits for our eyes. The antioxidant properties of lemons might help protect your eyes from ageing and macular degeneration, which is fantastic news for maintaining healthy vision.
Dr. Anuja Bodhare, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
To boost the protein content in your diet without depending on meats, turn to fish. Rich in good fatty acids, fish, makes for a tasty alternative. Since it generates less heat on consumption, you won’t feel lethargic and uncomfortably full, a feeling that usually we associate with after having chicken and meat dishes.
Also Read: 10 Foods To Reduce Body Heat Naturally
Avocado is a superfood in the true sense. The suit is laden with a high amount of mono-saturated fatty acids which help to remove heat and toxins from the blood. They are also easily digested, so your body will not need to create more heat to digest them.
Coconut water is filled with electrolytes which help to keep you hydrated and cool. Rich in essential electrolytes, the power drink helps beat the heat during summer while keeping one hydrated and energetic throughout the day. It will keep you hydrated and boost your digestive capacity.
I often recommend incorporating fruits and vegetables into your skincare routine to promote healthy skin. Avocado, in particular, has shown great potential in improving skin health. Its rich content of lutein and zeaxanthin, which are easily absorbed by the body, may help shield your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays.
Dr. Ashok Pal, BAMS
Mint is a cooling herb while lime also has cooling properties. The combination of the two can make a very refreshing drink for summer. One of the easiest herbs to find fresh in the market, both peppermint and spearmint are the best for consumption during summers. Mint helps in digestion without raising body heat. It also relieves nausea and headaches and eases depression and fatigue. Making tea with mint leaves can help induce sweating to reduce body temperature.
You can take a jar of water and add crushed mint leaves to them to have throughout the day. Make sure you allow the mint leaves to soak in the water for an hour before drinking it.
This herb can cool the body, ease insomnia, calm anxiety and soothe the digestive system. Great for the skin and scalp as well, it also soothes inflammation, rashes, insect bites and even cuts and scrapes. The harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause various problems for your skin. Chamomile tea is known for its antioxidant, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties and helps treat it.
Also Read: 9 Energy Giving Foods That Help You Stay Active
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