During summers, temperatures rise and the scorching heat can make us feel completely drained of energy. Ignoring the effects of extreme heat may put our health at risk1.
In the summer, many of us feel dehydrated and lack energy, which are common signs that indicate that we have been affected by heat. That’s why it’s crucial to take extra care of ourselves during the hotter months. By adopting health habits, such as eating well and changing our lifestyle, we can protect our bodies from the summer heat2.
Your body heat can increase because of both internal and external factors. For example, spending too much time out in the sun can cause your body temperature to rise significantly. It can also increase because of heavy exercise or moving around more than usual.
For women, body heat may rise because of conditions like perimenopause and menopause, during which they may experience hot flashes or night sweats. Another significant but uncommon reason why your body heat may rise is due to the use of certain medications3.
Here are the most common causes of increased body heat2,3:
Oranges can reduce body heat! Oranges are believed to be rich in water content that makes them a potential food to reduce body heat. They are also full of fibre, which makes them a great option for those looking to lose weight and still feel full.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
Normal body temperatures for different demographics3,4:
It is important to understand the symptoms that indicate the body is under stress or discomfort. These may include burning sensation in the eyes, mouth ulcers, indigestion, constipation, sleeplessness, acidity, and some may even experience rapid heart rate.
Let’s understand the top 10 foods to help reduce body heat and enjoy the summer season:
The best drink during summers. Coconut water has cooling properties that can help with the scorching summer months. It has electrolytes which can help keep the body hydrated and regulate body temperature. Coconut water is naturally sweet and is often enhanced by its malai content (tender coconut flesh). You can drink the water and apply the left-out malai on the face, to give a cooling effect on the skin5.
This healthy drink contains essential probiotics, vitamins, and minerals to keep our bodies cool even in extreme heat. Drinking buttermilk daily or maybe twice a day can help to cool down the body5.
Other than buttermilk, a traditional Indian drink, jaljeera is believed to be very helpful to cool down the body. Mint is one of the constituents of jaljeera which is believed to provide the cooling effect.
Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
Aloe vera is known as a natural cooling agent as it helps reduce body heat internally and externally. The gel can be applied to the skin to experience the cooling effect. Alternatively, you can mix the aloe vera gel extract with cucumber or mint and blend it to form a smooth mixture – drink it for an internal cooling boost7.
Mint is considered one of the most commonly consumed herbs in India. It is usually added to food or drinks to help neutralise excess body heat and regulate body temperature by providing a cooling effect. Adding mint to curd, buttermilk, or lemon water can add more benefits. You can also make mint chutney, which is one of the most popular chutneys in nearly every Indian households8.
In addition to mangoes, watermelon is another fruit that is often eaten during the summer season in India. Usually, the water content in watermelon is as high as 92%, which will help prevent dehydration and keep the body cool. If consumed regularly, it may help control body heat9.
Just like watermelons, cucumbers also have a high amount of water content of 95%. They are also high fibre, which can help relieve constipation, one of the common problems during summers when body heat increases. Cucumber is not only commonly used in salads, but also in facial treatments and to soothe tired eyes. Light, refreshing, and low in calories, cucumbers can be a perfect summer partner9!
Also Read: 8 Health Benefits Of Cucumber That You Should Know
Yes, you read it right! Peppers can help lower your body temperature. According to research10, capsaicin the active ingredient found in chili peppers, produces a cooling effect by sending a message to the brain indicating that the body is overheating and sweating more than usual., Interesting, isn’t it?
Research9 has shown that lemon being rich in Vitamin C can help lower body temperature. It can also moisturise and oxygenate the body, to help improve energy levels and feel fresh during summers. To make lemon juice, squeeze the juice of half a lemon, add a pinch of salt and ½ tsp of sugar (depending on your taste) and mix it with cold water. These ingredients can work as a natural electrolyte for your body.
It may come as a surprise, but even onions have a natural cooling effect on the body. Onions are rich in quercetin, which may act as an anti-allergen and also be beneficial to protect against heat-related issues like sunstroke. This is one of the reasons why our grandmothers often made a traditional mix of onion and raw mango during the summer months. You can have onions raw by adding lemon and a little bit of salt or combine them in salads, raitas and sandwiches. Onions are a readily available vegetable with impressive benefits11.
Celery contains 90% water and important nutrients, which can keep you cool in summer. Celery is also high in sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc9.
Malabar spinach, a variety of spinach found majorly in Karnataka, is believed to give a cooling effect to the body. It can be cooked and eaten with chapati. It is also believed to be rich in Vitamin A and C, folic acid and calcium.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Yes, body heat can lead to several health problems and may affect overall performance. You will likely experience increased irritability, loss of concentration, and sleeplessness. In serious cases, you may have heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hyperthermia.
The best and quickest way to reduce body heat is by drinking water. You can also try taking a cold bath and rest.
If your body temperature seems to be high for an undetermined reason or you are not cooling down even after trying to hydrate, consult with a doctor. Additionally, in case you experience excess body heat and are over 65 years of age, or you have an underlying medical condition, or if you are pregnant or nursing, contact a doctor immediately.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
86 
4
