With the UK temperature hotting up right now, there’s certain foods you might want to avoid to keep yourself cool. And you won’t believe it, but one surprising treat is a definite no-no
Brits have been enjoying a UK heatwave with temperatures reaching 32 degrees across certain parts of the nation.
According to the Met Office, an official heatwave in the UK is expected over the coming days during a sweltering spell of weather. After a warm day on Monday, it is likely to be even more hotter as the week progresses.
It comes as many people on X, formerly Twitter, have been commenting on how hot it has been in the UK. One said: “Come to the UK, we’re in a heatwave.” While another added: “This scorching weather is unbearable. I can’t wait for it to get cooler.”
So, how do we survive? According to Dr Alasdair Scott, a science director at Selph, there are certain tips on how Brits can cool down and avoid a heatstroke. The tips include one surprising food item that you should actually avoid.
Dr Scott says that contrary to popular belief, you should not eat ice cream – and spicy foods are probably better to tackle at the moment.
He explained: “It may come as a surprise, but ice cream can actually make your body warmer. Ice cream is generally high in fat, protein and carbohydrates, which can heat up the body while it digests food.
“Yes you will have the instant ‘cooling’ sensation when you eat it, but then as it is digested, you will feel warmer as your body has to provide energy to digest it. Complex carbohydrates and whole grains, such as brown rice, can also be hard for the body to digest and can therefore increase your body temperature. Anything that contains complex carbohydrates and highly processed foods will generally be more warming than cooling.”
To keep cool, Dr Scott recommends eating fruit and vegetables which have a high-water concentration, such as watermelon, cucumber, strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes, courgettes and peppers. “Foods like these are easy for the body to digest due to the high water content, so they will help you to stay hydrated and well-nourished,” he explained.
Meanwhile cold soups like gazpacho are also a great way to cool down, while getting lots of vitamins and minerals into your diet. And surprisingly spicy foods which can make you sweat are also cooling. He concluded: “It’s no coincidence that spicy dishes are often eaten in countries closer to the equator. They are cooling foods as they influence the body when you sweat, and through evaporative cooling, you feel cooler.”
