10 best foods to help cool down the body in hot weather
Hot days can easily cause dehydration and fatigue. The best way to keep your body cool this summer is to maintain a reasonable diet with the following foods.
When it is hot, drinking only water all day will feel boring. There are many types of summer fruits and juices that will reduce the heat inside and help you feel more comfortable when the temperature rises.
According to MSc. Dr. Le Thi Hai - former Director of the Nutrition Examination and Consulting Center, National Institute of Nutrition: Fruits and vegetables contain many nutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, minerals... In the hot season, you need to add fruits to provide more energy for the body while containing few calories.
Here is a list of foods that help cool you down and keep you healthy on hot days.
1. Cucumbers retain water in hot weather
Cucumbers are about 96% water, so they are key to staying hydrated on hot summer days or after a workout. Cucumbers are not only high in water, but also packed with vitamins and nutrients. Eating cucumbers instantly hydrates the body and cools you down on hot days. Cucumbers can be eaten raw or in salads or juiced with ginger and a little lemon. All of these methods provide great hydration benefits.
2. Watermelon
Watermelon is over 90% water. Along with its eye-catching color and sweet taste, watermelon is full of nutrients that the body needs in the summer. They not only provide water but also increase energy-rich nutrients such as vitamin B, vitamin A, magnesium, potassium and fiber to help strengthen the immune system, regulate blood pressure, and fight inflammation...
3. Green leafy vegetables
Green leafy vegetables are nutritious, high in calcium and have a cooling effect on the body. Spinach, lettuce, amaranth, Malabar spinach, Malabar spinach and kale are some of the summer vegetables that help to cool down effectively. These vegetables can be used in soups, smoothies, salads or as a side dish in meals.
4. Lemon is good for cooling and detoxifying
Lemon juice is a familiar drink that many people love because it is simple, convenient and contains many nutrients such as protein, glucid, calcium, potassium... Drinking lemon juice helps strengthen the immune system, brightens the skin and adds a healthy amount of vitamin C to your diet.
The easiest way to add flavor to your water is with lemon. The antioxidant properties of lemon may help protect your eyes from aging and macular degeneration, maintaining healthy vision. When it's hot outside, drink it as lemonade mixed with plain water or add a squeeze of lemon to juices and salads.
5. Yogurt
Rich in calcium, yogurt is a suitable and healthy alternative to cold carbonated drinks on hot days. Rich in vitamin B and beneficial bacteria for the intestines, yogurt helps soothe the body from the inside. It is best to choose unsweetened yogurt, add flavor by mixing with mango, strawberries and other fruits.
6. Fish helps the digestive system work more smoothly
To increase the protein content of your diet without relying on meat, switch to fish. Rich in good fatty acids, fish will be a delicious alternative because it produces less heat when consumed, you will not feel sluggish and uncomfortably full, the feeling we often get after eating meat dishes, especially in hot weather.
Fatty fish such as salmon, herring, tuna... contain high levels of omega-3. This healthy fatty acid helps reduce inflammation and prevents fat accumulation in the liver. Fish helps the digestive system work more smoothly, supports liver function, and reduces heat in the liver.
7. Avocado
Avocados are a true superfood. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that help remove heat and toxins from the blood. Avocados are also easy to digest, so the body does not need to create extra heat to digest them. In particular, avocados have shown great potential in improving skin health. Rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, easily absorbed by the body, they help protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays that are active in the summer.
8. Coconut water
Coconut water is rich in electrolytes that help the body stay hydrated and cool. Rich in essential electrolytes, this energy drink helps to beat the heat in the summer while keeping the body hydrated and energized throughout the day. Drinking coconut water in the hot season keeps you hydrated and improves digestion.
MSc. Dr. Dang Ngoc Hung - Director of the Institute of Nutrition Research and Consulting:
Among many types of drinks, coconut water is ranked as the top healthy drink, compared to sugarcane juice, soft drinks, fruit juices... coconut water has many outstanding advantages. Coconut water also has ingredients that can provide electrolytes, very suitable for many people in the hot summer.
9. Mint
Mint is a cooling herb that has been used for a long time. The combination of mint and lemon can create a cooling, refreshing drink when it is hot. Mint helps digestion without increasing body temperature. Mint also relieves nausea, headaches as well as reduces depression and fatigue. Brewing tea with mint leaves can help induce sweating to reduce body temperature. You can take a pot of water and add crushed mint leaves to it to drink during the day. Make sure to steep the mint leaves in water for an hour before drinking.
10. Chamomile tea
This herb has a cooling effect on the body, reduces insomnia, calms anxiety, and soothes the digestive system. Great for the skin and scalp, chamomile tea also soothes inflammation, rashes, insect bites, and even cuts and scrapes. Chamomile tea is known for its antioxidant, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties and helps treat various skin problems caused by UV damage.
