Foods to Keep Your Body Cool and Hydrated this Summer

Although there has been a lot of rain recently, the extremely high temperatures of summer are still on their way. To stay healthy during these next few months, we know to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and keep the blinds shut. However, consuming certain foods can keep the body cooler. As a lake and boat lover, I am constantly in the prime time for crazy heat. As a food lover, I am always excited to find foods that are healthy for my body. Here is a list of cool foods I have begun regularly consuming this summer, how I like to eat them, and how they influence the internal temperature of my body.

1. Cucumbers
   • Cucumbers have a high water content of 95%, aiding in better hydration and stabilizing body temperature. The body’s internal temperature can be lowered by the natural cooling sensation cucumbers offer to the digestive tract. Because cucumbers are low in calories, digestion generates much less heat than foods with higher calories. As seen in movies, cucumbers really can be used in skincare. Rubbing cucumber slices on the skin provides relief from sunburns.
   • I like my cucumbers simple. I sprinkle salt and pepper on top and eat them like that. However, if there is ranch around, I can’t help but dip into it.
2. Onions – Odd, right?
   • Like cucumbers, onions have a high water count, averaging around 89-91%. This contributes significantly to hydration. Onions induce sweating through their heat-producing properties, helping the body cool down as sweat evaporates from the skin. They contain compounds that encourage vasodilation, the process of blood vessels widening so that more blood can flow to the skin’s surface, where heat can be released.
   • I am an onion lover through and through. I eat them with mashed potatoes, in salads, with fajitas, cooked or uncooked. My favorite way to eat them is by using them as a spoon for my mashed potatoes.
3. Avocados
   • Continuing with high water content, avocados are approximately 73% water, increasing hydration in the body. Avocados contain components that have a calming effect on the nervous system. Because this puts the body in a relaxed state, it maintains lower body temperatures. Avocados have anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce internal body heat. They provide a cooling effect.
   • My favorite way to eat avocadoes is by making guacamole and adding a scoop of pico de gallo to it. The lime from the guacamole and the tomatoes from the pico make it such a refreshing snack.

While high temperatures are inevitable, managing your body’s internal heat through a well-chosen diet can make a significant difference. By incorporating hydrating foods like cucumbers, onions, and avocados into your daily meals, you can stay cool and refreshed during the next few hot, summer months. These foods not only provide hydration but also help in reducing inflammation, inducing sweating, promoting relaxation, and much more further aiding in temperature regulation. Enjoy these cooling foods and make your summer activities more comfortable and healthy. Stay hydrated, enjoy your meals, and keep cool!