Body heat is an issue faced by many all over the globe. This condition is commonly referred as “heat stress”. The normal temperature range of the body is 36.5 – 37.5 degree Celsius.
When your body heats above these levels and is unable to bounce back to the normal range than the situation is called “heat stress” or “body heat”.
It can also be caused due to intake of certain food that are hot in nature, dehydration, living in tropical climate, continuous exposure to sun, hormonal imbalance, heavy workouts, being in crowded places, wearing synthetic clothes or due to certain medications or medical conditions.
The important Do’s and Don’ts to reduce body heat
If you are suffering from heat stress, there is no need to panic. Follow these steps that will help you reduce the body heat effectively and efficiently.
- Reduce intake of hot and spicy food.
- Avoid fried and fatty foods
- Soak feet in the cold water to control the body temperature.
- Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake.
- Follow low sodium diet plans.
- Cook your food in olive oil or coconut oil.
- Avoid nuts
- Wear lightweight clothes that do not stick to your body.
- Never workout more than the body can take.
Water
Dehydration can be one major reason of body heat. High consumption of water helps in controlling the temperature of the body quickly. You should drink at least 8-9 glasses of water which is 2 litres of water daily.
Coconut water
Coconut water helps to fight away the heat exhaustion. The electrolytes, vitamins and minerals present in it helps to rehydrate the body and restore your energy levels.
It also cools down the body heat. In summer, you should drink 1 glass of coconut water 2-3 times daily.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk cools the stomach. The electrolyte present in the yogurt rehydrates the body. It effectively brings down the body heat and also helps in improving the metabolism. It is one of the best remedy for hot flashes.
In summer, daily drink 1 glass of buttermilk with your breakfast which controls your body temperature throughout the day.
Cucumber water
Cucumber infused water is great for hydrating your body and cooling down the body temperature. Consuming cucumber as a whole can also help in cooling the body. Drink 1 glass of cucumber infused water daily.
Fenugreek tea
Fenugreek tea controls the body temperature and helps to get rid of excess heat from the body. It flushes out excess fluids and detoxifies the body.
It is very suitable during menstruation as it cools down the body heat. You can replace coffee or regular tea with fenugreek tea. Drink 1 cup of fenugreek tea daily.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds
- Sugar/honey (optional)
- Few mint leaves
How to make
- Crush fenugreek seeds with a tool.
- Add them in the water and boil for 3-4 minutes.
- Add honey/sugar for sweetening. This is optional.
- Add few mints to enhance the taste and consume it hot or when it cools a bit.
Pomegranate juice
It is an excellent solution for controlling the body heat. It cools down the temperature. In the summer, pomegranate juice is highly recommended. Drink 1 glass of pomegranate juice mixed with few drops of almond oil daily.
Grapefruit juice
Grapefruit is a tropical fruit that is rich in vitamin C. It dehydrates your body and controls the body heat. Drink 1 glass of grapefruit juice every day.
Aloe Vera juice
Aloe vera has soothing and cooling properties which helps to reduce the body temperature. If you have body stress than apply aloe vera on your body or drink aloe vera juice. This helps to control the body heat. Refrigerate it for better results.
Method 1:
- Extract aloe vera gel from aloe vera leaf and rub it over your body.
- Leave it for about 20 minutes.
- Rinse it with cold water.
Method 2:
- Drink 1 glass of aloe vera juice which is prepared from 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel.
Lemon
Lemon is rich in vitamin C which prevents heat related illness and keeps the body temperature in control. It hydrates the skin and gives a refreshing feeling in summer. You should drink 3 glasses daily.
Ingredients
- ½ lemon
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- A Pinch of salt
- A glass of water
How to make
- Squeeze lemon in a glass of water.
- Add honey and salt to it and mix well.
Indian gooseberry
Gooseberry is also known as Amla. It has cooling and soothing properties which makes the body cool down. It helps to cure pimples which are caused by the body heat.
Ingredients
- Concentrated Amla juice
- Water
- Honey or salt
How to make
- Mix ¾ cup of concentrated amla juice with 4 parts of water.
- Add some honey in it or a pinch of salt.
- Drink it twice or thrice a day.
Yogurt
It helps to efficiently cool down the heated body. In hot days of summer it is advisable to have at least one bowl of curd every day.
Peaches
Peach is famous as a “cooling fruit” in China. It cools down the heated body. This fruit contains both calcium and iron which is a rare combination to be found in fruits. It also contains fibres and vitamins.
Consume it as a fruit or make juice from it and make your summer feel cool in a peachy way!
Watermelon
Watermelon contains high water content which helps to bring down the body heat and keeps the body hydrated. Make a smoothie of watermelon or consume it as a fruit.
You can also make watermelon juice and add a lemon slice. Have it once in the morning along with breakfast and once in the evening.
Honeydew melon
It is another refreshing fruit for summer days. It controls your body temperature and is a low calorie fruit. It turns out to be a healthy choice for your body heat problems.
Consume a ripe Honeydew melon. If it is unripe keep it for 3-4 days at room temperature to ripe it.
Radish
It is an excellent choice for fighting against body stress. Because of its cooling property due to presence of vitamin C and oxidants, it efficiently cools down the body. Add slices of radish in your salads and sandwiches every day.
Spinach
Spinach is rich in vitamins and minerals and contains high levels of water. This vegetable is easier to digest and helps to control the body stress. You can consume spinach juice or add it in your salad.
Celery
Celery has high levels of sodium and potassium and has many health benefits. It is an excellent choice for the hot weather as it keeps the body cool. Consume celery juice every day as it acts as a great electrolyte drink.
Onions
If you want to fight against heat stroke or body stress than onion is a very efficient vegetable. It cools down the body and reduces the inflammation that is caused by the burns.
Method 1:
- Consume a white raw onion or add it to your salads and chutneys.
Method 2:
- Make juice from onion and apply it on your chest to reduce the body heat.
Sesame
This condiment is used to add more flavour to the food. Besides this it behaves as a coolant and helps to control the body stress. In summer it is advisable to consume it to reduce the body temperature. Add few sesame seeds in water and consume it daily.
Poppy seeds
This is another condiment which helps to control the body heat. Before going to bed consume a handful of poppy seeds that will help to keep your body cool.
Fennel seeds
Fennel seeds are very beneficial to lower the body temperature and keep it in control. Consume them every night to keep your body cool.
Milk and sandalwood or honey
Milk is another liquid that keeps the body cool.
Method 1:
- Drink 1 glass of milk every day to control the body heat.
Method 2:
- Mix Honey with milk and consume it daily.
Method 3:
- Mix sandalwood with milk and consume 1 glass of it every day.
FAQS
Thyroid disorder, infections, extreme exposure to hot climate, consuming caffeine /alcohol, eating spicy and very oily food, wearing extremely tight clothes etc. can be some reasons for increased heat in the body.
Fruits like Mangoes, oranges, apples and other items like black pepper, garlic, onion, and ginger can be responsible for increasing heat in your body.
Eating eggs in moderate quantity will not produce heat in body but high consumption of eggs can produce heat in body.
No instead, curd helps to keep your stomach cool.
Almonds can increase body heat and hinder digestion. Hence, it is suggested to eat soaked almonds.
Roots vegetables like carrot, turnips, radish etc are considered hot for body.
Ghee is cold in nature
Yes ,Ragi does increase the body heat to some level.
Paneer can cause heat in the body.
Ginger is considered as a hot food.
Eating too many heat producing foods, no proper diet, underlying infections or illness, body’s inability to cool down on its own etc., can cause too much heat in the body.
Brown rice, meats, mango, ginger, black pepper increases the body temperature. For increasing body temperature, avoid such foods.
Coriander is a hugely popular ingredient for reducing temperature. It is effective mainly during the summer days.
Yes, both vitamin C and vitamin E are helpful to regulate body temperature. So, use vitamin-enriched food to combat body temperature.
Capsaicin in chilies causes sweating so it is helpful to regulate body temperature. Eat chilies in food to combat excess temperature.
Pumpkin is highly versatile. Curried or added into desserts, raita helps to beat the heat.
