9 Cooling Foods to Beat the Heat from Within

9 May, 2025

Cooling foods are essential to beat the summer heat. Instead of relying solely on drinks, one can opt for natural and easily accessible ingredients to prepare delicious and healthy meals and beverages. From vegetables and fruits to familiar ingredients in the kitchen, with a little creativity, one can create refreshing meals for the whole family.

1. Centella Asiatica – A Cooling Food to Help Body Rejuvenation

Centella Asiatica, or pennywort, is a natural gift, perfect for hot summer days. With its mild sweetness and cooling properties, pennywort helps detoxify and soothe the body. Blend fresh pennywort for a refreshing drink, cook it with shrimp for a light meal, or combine it with mung beans and coconut milk for a delicious smoothie.

Not only is pennywort delicious and easy to prepare, but it also helps cool the liver and promotes healthy skin, making it a favorite among health-conscious food enthusiasts.

2. Citrus Fruits: Oranges, Tangerines, and Lemons

Oranges, tangerines, and lemons are familiar and easily available fruits that are extremely beneficial during the summer. Rich in water, potassium, and vitamin C, these citrus fruits help hydrate, boost immunity, and alleviate fatigue caused by the heat.

A glass of fresh orange juice or a gentle lemonade with ice is all it takes to refresh the whole family on a sweltering day. It’s a simple yet effective way to take care of everyone’s health.

3. Yogurt

Yogurt is a favorite summer treat for many. Its mild sourness and refreshing taste not only satisfy the taste buds but also leave a light and pleasant feeling in the body.

Combine yogurt with fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, bananas, or mangoes, add some chia seeds or granola, and you have a delicious, nutritious, and energy-packed dessert for the whole family.

Yogurt is a cooling food that helps rejuvenate the body

4. Winter Melon

Winter melon has a mild sweetness and a cooling nature, making it ideal for hot summer days. Cooking winter melon soup with shrimp or crab is a light and refreshing meal for the family. Moreover, winter melon juice is a beauty ally. Drinking it regularly will result in smoother skin and a lighter body without the need for complex methods.

5. Bitter Melon

Bitter melon is a familiar food that helps detoxify, supports diuresis, and aids digestion. It can be stuffed with meat, stir-fried with eggs, or cooked with pork ribs. If you prefer tea, slice and dry bitter melon, then brew it with hot water. Adding rock sugar will make it more palatable while retaining its characteristic coolness.

6. Celery – A Cooling Food with Multiple Benefits

Celery is a nutrient-rich vegetable with cooling properties. It aids diuresis, soothes the nerves, and purifies the body. Celery is high in fiber and vitamins A and C and contains antioxidants, making it excellent for improving skin health, aiding weight loss, and slowing aging.

Stir-fried celery with beef is a delicious and nutritious dish that helps replenish blood and provides energy. Celery juice, combined with apples, cucumbers, or lemons, becomes a more palatable drink that supports liver detoxification and skin brightening when consumed every morning. It is an ideal ingredient for those who love cooking and natural health care.

7. Mint

Fresh mint leaves add a delightful aroma and are commonly used to enhance the flavor of salads, appetizers, or drinks. Adding a few mint leaves to lemonade, smoothies, or juices will give them a refreshing twist. Whether it’s a warm mint tea in the evening or an iced mint tea during the day, it’s an excellent way to relax and cool down after a hot day.

Mint tea can help soothe the body after a hot day.

8. Tomatoes – A Cooling Food for the Body

Tomatoes are a familiar ingredient in the kitchen, easy to prepare, and highly beneficial for health. Rich in lycopene and vitamins, tomatoes help cool and refresh the body and support skin care.

Drinking cold tomato juice daily or incorporating tomatoes into salads, sour soups, or fried eggs enhances the flavor and makes meals more nutritious and delicious.

9. Watermelon

Watermelon is a savior during scorching days, as it contains over 90% water, quickly quenching thirst and providing energy. Cut watermelon into slices for a direct treat, blend it with ice for a smoothie, or mix it with fresh mint and lemon for a refreshing drink. It’s easy to prepare, delicious, and perfect for the whole family to enjoy daily.

By choosing the right ingredients and simple preparations, one can create refreshing and light meals for the family during the summer heat. Cooling foods not only help beat the heat but also contribute to maintaining health and beauty from within. Include these cooling foods that help rejuvenate the body in your daily menu to make summer days lighter and more refreshing!