Beat the Heat with These Cooling Foods

Spicy Foods

Wait, what!?! Most people think that because spicy foods, like hot peppers or chiles, make you sweat, they make you feel warmer and even more uncomfortable. This may be true at the beginning of the eating experience, but some researchers postulate that after you’ve eaten (and perspired a bit!), the evaporating sweat allows body heat to escape, giving you an all-over cooling sensation. It’s no wonder, then, that many tropical countries are known for their spicy cuisine (Thailand, India, the Caribbean, and so on). To reap this surprising benefit, marinate chicken, fish, or lean meats in fiery marinades, add chopped peppers or hot sauce to burgers and salads, or nibble on veggies dunked in spicy salsa.