Eat a Hot Pepper to Cool Down Summer Heat?

by Rigel Celeste (Subscribe to Rigel Celeste's posts)
Aug 7th 2007 9:32AM

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

Have you ever heard of eating a hot pepper or a spicy dish as a way of cooling down in the summer? I never had, until I came across this article in The Seattle Times where they're comparing the cooling properties of ice cream vs. beer vs. spicy food to see which works better in the heat of the summer.

Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like they find a very clear answer as all the choices have a strong list of pros and cons. Ice cream may make you feel cooler at first but it will warm you up later as your digestive processes get going. Beer will dehydrate you, which will inhibit sweating, and spicy foods will actually make you feel warmer at first followed by cooling due to the sweat (if there's a breeze). So I guess it's a 'pick your poison' kind of thing. Or better yet, stay in the shade and hire somebody to fan you.

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Comments (6)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

BlondiesNotebook 8-11-2007 @ 8:27AM

I just take a sip of soda or sparkling water with a little ice in it. Milk shakes acually make me chilly and in need of a winter coat. Maybe it's not SUPPOSED to cool you down, but it works for me. Maybe I'm from Mars or something.

Michele 8-11-2007 @ 10:18AM

"Or better yet, stay in the shade and hire somebody to fan you." Sounds like a plan! Better yet, Sip a tall, cool drink...in an air conditioned room!

~`:-joanna 8-11-2007 @ 10:31AM

I found this cool Energy blend" drink...quite refreshing with an EnjoyMINT taste, its a powder form so all you have to do is add it to your H2O and you are good to GO GO GO! If you want to check it out you can find it at http://www.farminabag.com its called Pro Power its health benefits are amazing and its refreshing flavor even better!

JEAN 8-11-2007 @ 11:14AM

CELERY IS A NATURAL BODY COOLER, SOME PEOPLE JUICE IT & DRINK IT ALL SUMMER LONG, IT LOWERS THE BODY TEMPERATURE NATURALLY.

Dave 8-11-2007 @ 1:26PM

Come to think about it, eating a hot pepper does make sense, just because of the fact that it forces you to sweat, and sweat cools you down. Personally, I try to stay from drinking too much beer when it's hot out, because the last time I did that, I ended up getting sick later (alcohol + heat = bad combo). What usually helps me is a nice cold soda, water, or Gatorade.