What you eat impacts not only your intake of calories, vitamins, and fats but also the natural temperature regulation of your body. It might surprise you to learn that certain foods can actually cool down your body, while others increase its heat. This can be particularly important to consider during different seasons or climates. Let’s delve into how different foods affect your body temperature and explore some examples that might help you make more informed dietary choices.
Temperature-influencing foods
Certain foods are known to increase body heat, making them more suitable for cold weather, while others help cool the body and are ideal for hot climates. Understanding these effects can help you choose foods that align with your body’s needs throughout the year.
Foods that increase body heat
Some foods are known for their heat-producing properties. These are best consumed during colder months when you need to keep your body warm:
Garlic is known for its numerous health benefits and is also a potent heat-producing food. Similarly, onions can increase body heat and are often used in warm, hearty dishes. Ginger, a well-known root, is prized for its warming properties and is often used in teas and soups. Mango, a delicious tropical fruit, can increase body temperature when consumed in large quantities, while durian, another tropical fruit, is famous for its strong odor and heat-producing effects.
High-protein and high-fat foods, such as red meat, Eggs (high in protein) tend to increase body heat. Spicy foods, such as chili peppers and other spicy ingredients, can significantly raise body temperature. Nuts like almonds and walnuts are energy-dense and heat-producing, while the caffeine in coffee stimulates thermogenesis, increasing body heat. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, contains compounds that can elevate body temperature.
Foods that cool down the body
In contrast, some foods help to lower your body temperature, making them ideal for hot weather:
Cucumber is extremely hydrating and cooling, making it perfect for hot weather. Watermelon, another hydrating fruit, not only refreshes but also helps to lower body heat. Mint is known for its cooling properties and can be added to drinks and dishes. Yogurt, a probiotic-rich food, has a cooling effect on the body, while coconut water is perfect for summer hydration due to its cooling properties.
Light and hydrating vegetables like lettuce help to cool the body. Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons have a cooling effect, as do celery, with its high water content, and melons like cantaloupe and honeydew. Radishes are known for their cooling properties and are great in salads. Bell peppers, with their high water content, help to cool the body, and pineapple, a refreshing and cooling fruit, is excellent in hot weather. Berries, including strawberries and blueberries, also help to cool down the body.
Temperature effects of common foods
Here’s a handy table to help you understand which foods are warming and which are cooling:
Food | Temperature effect |
Garlic | Increases |
Onion | Increases |
Ginger | Increases |
Mango | Increases |
Durian | Increases |
Red Meat | Increases |
Spicy Foods | Increases |
Nuts | Increases |
Coffee | Increases |
Chocolate | Increases |
Eggs | Increases |
Root Vegetables | Increases |
Cucumber | Cools |
Watermelon | Cools |
Mint | Cools |
Yogurt | Cools |
Coconut Water | Cools |
Lettuce | Cools |
Citrus Fruits | Cools |
Celery | Cools |
Melons | Cools |
Radishes | Cools |
Bell Peppers | Cools |
Pineapple | Cools |
Berries | Cools |
There are several items not in the list above, please invest some time to learn about them, from all perspectives. From where they come, what nutrients, how it impacts your body temperature etc.
Conclusion
It’s not a NO to any food type here, it’s just the correct time to eat – which will actually help you and also the environment in a big way.
It's important to select food not only for its nutritional benefits but also for its overall impact on your body, including its temperature-regulating properties. By being aware of natural body coolants and warmers, you can make more conscious and beneficial dietary choices.
Adjusting your diet according to the season and your body’s needs can help you stay comfortable and healthy year-round. Remember, the food you eat makes a lot of difference!
Global warming is no more only a discussion topic, almost everywhere on the earth, everyone is able to see its impact.
Saving even 1 kWh of electricity can not only save $10 but also impacts down the line, resources used to produce that electricity (could be fossil fuel). And just estimate the scale, 1 room saving this energy, when all rooms, all offices, all malls start saving the same the impact of change will be huge !
Air-conditioners, heaters, basically room temperature controlling devices, including basic wood burning uses can be rationalized if human beings are doing a significant control on their body temperature alone by the food intake.
Don’t wait, for others start to change from you and be conscious of your choices. A little change in your diet can make a huge difference to the environment.
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