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Foods to Help You Beat the Summer Heat

There are a few tricks to cooling down and beating the heat that you may not know -- and they start with the foods that you eat.
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As the summer sun beats down, it can seem impossible to stay cool. You can crank up the air-conditioning or sip on a cold beverage, but there are a few tricks to cooling down and beating the heat that you may not know -- and they start with the foods that you eat.

Click Here to see the Complete List of the Foods to Beat the Heat

Foods high in water content are great at hydrating you and cooling you down. Foods like lettuce, citrus, and other summer fruits and vegetables hydrate us and lower our body temperature to stay cool. The high water content can thin the blood and assist your body in releasing heat.

And when it comes to a hot or iced coffee, which should you choose? Turns out that there are nerves on our tongues that have special molecules called receptors. When you drink something hot, these receptors signal the brain that it's hot, which then causes us to sweat and cool ourselves down.

These receptors also respond to chili peppers and spicy foods. It's not a coincidence that spicy cuisine is found in hot and tropical regions of the world. These chili peppers activate sweating, thus lowering our body temperature and cooling us down.

1
Cucumbers
Perfect for dipping in hummus or sliced on salads, this refreshing vegetable is great for hydration. Try making a chilled cucumber soup by blending cucumbers, yogurt, and ice to make an elegant and easy appetizer that will refresh and hydrate your guests.Photo Credit: Stockbyte_thinkstockClick Here to see More Foods to Beat the Heat
2
Tomatoes
Red and green tomatoes are high in water and during the summer months they are at their peak of ripeness and perfection. Slice them and serve them with a drizzle of olive oil and sea salt over a bed of greens or eggs for breakfast. Photo Credit: Wavebreak-Media_thinkstock
3
Spicy Foods
It's not a coincidence that many people in hot and tropical regions of the world eat spicy food. Foods like ginger, red chili, and cayenne pepper initially warm you up, but actually help cool you down. Try adding a pinch of red chili flakes to a fish or chicken dish. Photo Credit: iStock_thinkstockClick Here to see More Foods to Beat the Heat
4
Radishes
These little root vegetables add a juicy and spicy bite to any summer salad. They also add a healthy crunch and bright color to your menu. Photo Credit: iStock_thinkstock
5
Watermelon
We know that watermelon is full of water, hence the name, but this melon is also high in antioxidants. Make a refreshing watermelon and feta salad or eat it by the slice.Click Here to see More Foods to Beat the HeatPhoto Credit: iStock_thinkstock

Click Here to see the Original Story on The Daily Meal

-- Emily Jacobs, The Daily Meal

More Content from The Daily Meal:

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10 Best Summer Pasta Salad Recipes

8 Summer Crock Pot Recipes

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