The foods that we eat on a daily basis have an impact on our body system in some way or the other, especially when it comes to maintaining and regulating heat in the body. Most foods that we tend to eat have the ability to produce heat in the body, considering they take time to digest, so the body system needs more energy to stimulate the process, which further produces heat. Foods that generally contain more fat, protein and carbohydrates often heat the body up while digesting food. So what are the foods we must ensure a control upon in order to keep our body cool and healthy?According to Nutritionist and Physiologist, Ritesh Bawri, “Food has a substantial impact on you. When food causes the temperature in your body to increase, it is known as thermogenesis.
Eating a healthy diet that includes lots of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and a moderate amount of unsaturated fats, meat and dairy can help you maintain a steady weight. Having a good variety of these foods every day leaves less room for foods that are high in fat and sugar – a leading cause of weight gain.Thermogenesis occurs when your body breaks down the food that you consume to produce brown fat which has a particular protein. When this protein reacts, with the food it causes the production of heat.”
Here’s what the expert Nutritionist Ritesh Bawri suggests.Root vegetables are known to cause heat in your body. These include vegetables such as potato, carrots, sweet potato and kale. These vegetables require more energy during the process of digestion causing heat in your body. According to Ayurveda, consuming onions and garlic also generates heat in the body. Similarly, Reiki practitioners ask their patients not to eat pungent foods such as onions, shallots, leeks, chives, spring onions. Along with the heat, these foods are also believed to cause nightmares, disturbed dreams and confusion.
Naturally, consuming hot liquids raises your body temperature. Most nutritionists agree that this is a good thing for your body. A slight increase in body temperature caused by consuming food or exercise creates an environment that is hostile to pathogens in your body. Your body can fight them more effectively. While summer is upon us and you should be consuming foods that calm your body, do not also forget to eat a few things that increase your body temperature, at least occasionally.A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy can help to reduce your risk of heart disease by maintaining blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
High blood pressure and cholesterol can be a symptom of too much salt and saturated fats in your diet.
Eating a portion of oily fish – such as salmon and trout – each week can also help to lower your risk of developing heart disease. The high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish are good for heart health.
As per the book ‘The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies’ by Dr. Vasant Lad, here’s a list of ‘hot’ foods –
Fruits like mangoes, apples and oranges are considered as hot foods; excessive consumption of these fruits may lead to irritation in the stomach.
Common kitchen foods like onion, garlic, black pepper, ginger and other spicy foods are responsible for producing heat in the body.
Root vegetables are innately hot, which is why they are generally recommended during winters.
Spinach, beans, potatoes, broccoli, et al are also said to have a strong ‘taasir’ that produces heat in the body.
