Surprising foods that affect body temperature

Wednesday, September 25, 2013 by: Yanjun
Tags: surprising foods, body temperature, homeostasis

(NaturalNews) The heat inside the human body has a huge say on how it adapts to temperature changes. Natural adaptation dictates that the body must cool down when the surroundings are hot, and it must warm itself up when the surroundings are cold. While homeostasis plays a huge role in adjusting body temperature, this natural adaptive process can either be assisted or sabotaged by the food you eat. Here is a list of some foods that can affect your body temperature.

Foods that cool you down

1. Watermelon

This fruit contains a high amount of water, essential in bringing down body temperatures and helping you feel cooler. Not only does water have a natural cooling effect, but it also slows down digestion, causing slower metabolism and reducing heat output.

2. Spicy foods

As it turns out, there is actually sound logic behind the eating of spicy foods in hot countries such as India and those in the Middle East. Because spicy foods such as chili peppers pack a lot of heat, they make you sweat. And sweating gives a cooling effect while lowering body temperatures.

3. Leafy vegetables

Leaves in general contain a high amount of water. In fact, it is estimated that leafy greens contain an estimated 80-90% water. Not only that, but these vegetables are also easy to digest, ensuring that your digestive tract expends minimal effort and produces minimal heat in the process.

Foods that warm you up

1. Ice Cream

Contrary to its physical temperature, ice cream can actually have a warm effect. Due to its high content of protein, fats and carbohydrates (thanks to its milk/sweets combination), it has a lot of calories that are then used up to create body heat. Also, it's notorious for being tough to digest, meaning you create more body heat due to digestive function.

2. Whole Grains

Grains such as wheat and rice contain an abundance of complex carbohydrates that are tough to digest. Because it makes your digestive tract work harder than usual, it can create extra body heat. What's more, their carbohydrate content serves as fuel for the metabolic process.

3.Ginger

Ginger can play a very effective role in warming you up, as it's packed with pungent and warming properties. It can work especially well for individuals who tend to fare poorly with cold during the winter season.

Because of different temperature swings, your body must continuously adapt. Otherwise, too much heat or cold can cause disruptive effects to your health. You can aid your body's natural adaptive processes (and make yourself more comfortable as well) by consuming particular foods for particular weather conditions. You can warm up or cool down by eating foods that alter body temperature.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.zenraw.com

http://www.care2.com

http://www.greenlivingonline.com

About the author:
Sofiya has written articles on most health-related topics, including traditional medicine, alternative and naturopathic and natural treatments,health insurance, wellness, medical marijuana, diets and fitness.