8 foods to keep you cool and healthy this summer

These are some foods to beat this summer.

Bengaluru: As summer season is ahead, people might want to have a list of foods that beat the heat. In many parts of India, the heating temperature rises above 40. So we bring you a list to keep you fit and hydrated this summer.

Fruits such as mangoes, watermelons and peaches are best to eat as it is, or in the form of juice. Green vegetables are always the choice for any season, but for summer, they act like energy boosters.

Buttermilk is the aam aadmi's choice to beat the heat. So, drink lots of it! Avoid having extra tea or coffee that cause de-hydration in the body especially during summer, as many doctors suggest.

Lauki or bottle gourd

Green vegetables are healthy in any season, but apart from that,lauki or bottle gourd are also great choices to have to beat the heat.

Now, you may or may not like lauki, but did you know it helps in weight loss? Rich in calcium, magnesium Vitamin A, C and Folic Acid, the humble lauki works well on high blood pressure, purifies the blood and keeps the heart healthy.

Watermelon; an all-rounder

When it comes to fruit salads, people mostly prefer watermelon over other fruits. Watermelon is versatile - it's really good for the stomach, helps preventing common diseases such as high blood pressure, heart diseases, colds flues, and more importantly, cancer. Watermelon also helps protecting the skin from allergies and from oxidative stress that contributes to the ageing process.

Watermelon is made up of 90 per cent of water, which is the natural liquid that can brighten the skin tone if consumed as much as possible.

Leaves and herbs for salads

Leaves of the basil or tulsi, arugula (rocket leaves) and other herbs in salads covered with yogurt are some of the most delicious and healthy things to eat in summer. The salad can go along with fruits, nuts, white meat, coriander leaves and even pepper. This type of salad is rich in nutrition and helps in weight loss.

Cucumber

The simple cucumber can be added to any type of salad; but some of us prefer eating it sliced after, or while having food. It is rich in potassium which helps in boosting metabolism.

Mint water with lemon

Having mint with two-three drops of lemon with a water of glass a day will gradually boost metabolism and helps those with low appetite.

Barley water

In case you don't like the taste of barley water, add a few drops of lemon or mint, it will definitely increase your appetite!

Aam panna

Aam panna (made of green mangoes) helps in curing constipation and chronic stomach problems such as indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome.

Coconut water

Coconut water has always been the choice of drink by the masses, and highly-recommended by doctors if you have low blood pressure or are unable to tolerate the heatwave.