😅Cool as a Cucumber

Uncategorized Jun 26, 2020

COOL AS A CUCUMBER

It seems obvious that in the throws of summer, we naturally gravitate toward consuming something cold to eat or drink. Cucumbers are one of our favorites! They're so refreshing on their own, with hummus, on top of your salad for extra crunch, and even mixed with ice water to remind you of your spa days.

After traveling to places like Vietnam, Malta, and Mexico, we have often wondered how climate affects local foods and nutrition choices for year-round residents. 

We have always trusted that nature knows best, so if food grows in a hot climate, there must be some innate quality that assists the body with surviving the elements.

 

And it's true - foods that grow in these hot regions will not only keep you cool but also protect your skin from sunburn and improve your hydration. 

When searching for foods to combat the heat, it's helpful to know the properties that do the job first: Beta Carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Capsaicin, and of course, water.

Let's find out which of our favorite summer foods have these powerhouse properties to keep us feeling good in the heat! 

Coconut Water

(from young coconuts - not from a can)

 

On average per ounce:

 

  • 5 calories
  • 1.3 grams of naturally occurring sugar
  • 61 mg of potassium
  • 5.45 mg of sodium

Coconut water is nature's original Gatorade with naturally occurring sugar, sodium, and potassium.

This provides an amazing combination of essential electrolytes that can result in faster hydration than just water consumed alone.

Not to mention, potassium is great for preventing muscle cramps!

Hot Chilis

Chili peppers like jalapeño, cayenne, and habanero get their spice from a chemical called capsaicin. Although it can act as an irritant in some people, the benefits in hot weather may keep you searching for more. So, how does capsaicin work?

The burn experienced from consuming spicy chillies causes humans to sweat, which is the body's natural response when attempting to regulate temperature. It's really that simple!

This is why although seemingly counterintuitive, eating spicy food when it's hot outside can help cool down our overall body temperature. 

It's no wonder tropical climates generally pack a lot of heat in their cuisine!

Additionally, eating spicy food also stimulates the metabolism because sweating and keeping your body cool requires a good amount of energy expenditure!

Carrots and Carrot Juice

Carrots contain a wonderful nutrient called beta carotene, which converts to Vitamin A once absorbed in the body. This is great for us when we are out in the sun because it helps repair skin tissue while protecting the skin from harmful radiation. 

Carrots are also high in carotenoids. This antioxidant soaks up damaging chemicals and compounds that we are exposed to in the environment as well as stress.

Carotenoids are stored in the fat cells just under our skin, causing a natural glow and improved skin tone. 

Jicama

This giant root is high in Vitamin C, giving us 40% of our daily recommended value in just one cup. With only 49 calories per cut, 6g of fiber, and 11g of carbs, this is the perfect low-calorie, hydrating snack to keep you cool on hot summer days. 

Apart from containing almost 90% of it's weight from water, jicama is high in inulin: a powerful fiber that aids in digestion and gut health. Note: a little inulin goes a long way, and some people may not digest this fiber as well as others. Try a small amount initially and increase once you have a sense for how it moves through your system.

Avocado

You might notice your body craving items like avocado during the summer months, and that's for a good reason!

Avocados are extremely nutrient dense (i.e. lots of healthy dietary fat coming from in a small amount of food). They're also naturally high in fiber to help digest all that protein you're eating! 

Additionally, avocados are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B-6 as well as beta-carotene. Similar to the properties in a carrot, the beta-carotene combined with the other array of vitamins and minerals makes avocados an excellent choice for protecting skin and keeping your body glowing from the inside out.

What are your favorite summer foods? What do you crave when it gets hot out? Click reply and let us know!

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