The diet is an ideal ally to relieve the heat, in light of the high temperatures, in Japan it is usually in the range of 35 degrees Celsius throughout the summer with relative humidity exceeding 90%.
The same applies to other countries such as the Gulf, India and Mexico that are known to be the hottest on the planet.
Writer Patricia Maathai presented a report published by the Spanish newspaper "Elconfidencial", a set of tips that should be followed, such as staying in cold places, drinking a lot of fluids, covering the head when leaving the house, and also wearing loose and light clothing that allows sweating, and avoiding coffee, As well as lack of exercise during times of extreme heat, along with an appropriate diet.
What is the relationship of heat to our food choices?
According to popular beliefs, it is advisable to eat light or fresh foods in hot weather. But what does the scientific literature say about the effects of heat and its relationship to our nutritional choices?
According to a review of articles published by Peter Herman of the University of Toronto in his book "Nutritional Needs in Warm Environments ... Applications for Military Personnel in Field Operations", it seems necessary to take into account the fact that the heat "a person feels is not just an environmental issue, as Physical activity itself can generate heat. Also, eating food itself has thermal effects, so heat not only affects appetite, but appetite can affect heat as well. ”
Scientists found that increasing the calorie consumption by 50% by adding fats to the diet resulted in a 47% increase in the caloric effects of food. For example, eating ground beef and cooked tomatoes raises the skin temperature by an average of two degrees about one hour after a meal.
"Food can cause the body heat to dissipate through the sweating process, thereby lowering its temperature in high environmental temperatures," the author quoted a nutritionist at the Surgical Medical Center for Gastroenterology, Dr. Domingo Carrera, as saying.
Foods that reduce heat
To keep the temperature balanced, we must drink water in sufficient quantities, given that foods rich in water and fluids can help us sweat easily.
On the other hand, some foods cause our bodies to overheat and this may have adverse effects when it is very hot. Learn about foods that reduce summer heat.
water
According to the Mayo Clinic, water is "the main chemical component of the body and accounts for 60% of body weight, so it is important to drink between two and two and a half liters a day, depending on each person's circumstances."
Watermelon
Thanks to its high water content (80%), watermelon is an essential food these days. It is also rich in vitamins and low calories, especially vitamins "A, B, and C" along with potassium and fiber. One of its main components, lycopene, is the antioxidant tincture that gives it its red color.
Radish
It is rich in water, vitamin C and antioxidants, and helps reduce body temperature.
Fenugreek seeds
It is among the most popular home remedies to reduce body heat, as eating a tablespoon of raw fenugreek seeds greatly reduces body heat.
tomatoes
Rich in water, fiber and antioxidants such as lycopene, it is an ideal ally to resist heat waves.
Pepper
Sweat has the necessary physiological function of regulating body temperature and cooling it through the evaporation of water. Thanks to the hot effect of capsaicin (the ingredient that gives peppers heat), the body creates more sweat on the surface of the skin, which helps in feeling refreshed as it evaporates.
Raspberry
Raspberries in black and red color are rich in anthocyanins and the soluble dyes give them their distinctive purple and red color. It helps lower blood pressure, is an anti-inflammatory, and facilitates the expansion of blood vessels, which helps the body reduce its temperature by promoting blood circulation. It also reduces the oxidative stress associated with the production of internal body heat.
Coconut water
Coconut water contains potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium and phosphorus, which are elements that help in maintaining the balance of the body, and it is also the best option after doing physical activities.
It also helps in fighting oxidative stress, as it is rich in vitamins, amino acids, enzymes and antioxidants, vitamins B and C and trace elements such as zinc, selenium, iodine and sulfur.
Food to avoid during the heat
Avoid calorie-rich foods as they increase your body temperature. Experts point to the need to "avoid consuming fast food, bread and fried food," according to the author.
Very cold foods
Although it seems strange, we must dispense with foods or fluids that are very cold because it gives us a feeling of refreshment at first, but the body temperature quickly increases more to face the cold effect.
Ice cream and pastries
It is advisable to avoid eating ice cream because of its cold effect and its high content of fat and protein. Industrial pastries, cakes, pies, and sweets should be avoided in general, because they contain fats, sugars and high calories.
Fats
In particular, fat should be avoided, as the consumption of animal proteins also prevents the dispersion of body heat, which experts confirmed.
Animal protein
We must also avoid beef, veal and lamb because it is high in fat and animal protein. This is in addition to reducing the consumption of full-fat dairy products, such as processed cheese, milk and milk.