FOOD TRAVEL THIS SUMMER, KEEP IT COOL

To beat the Capital’s unbearable heat, try these freshening ingredients to keep your body cool YOGHURT MINT WATERMELON CORIANDER

The temperatures have reached summer highs, making us feel like we are going to melt soon. Our diet also often has an effect on our body temperature. Although keeping ourselves hydrated is important, and a glass of cold water feels like an oasis in a desert, water is insufficient to keep us cool in the summer.

To help you cope with the heat, we have listed down some ingredients along with their nutritional benefits. Chefs also share a few tips on how these can be used in your everyday dishes and juices.

— With inputs from Priya Palan, dietician Yoghurt not only cools the body, but also reduces acidity and the burning sensation in the stomach. It also aids in better digestion. Seth says yoghurt is one of the most cooling ingredients and can be used to make meals like Tayir Sadam aka curd rice. The natural stimulant promotes digestion and provides relief from fatigue. Fresh mint makes for an excellent addition to lemonade or a fresh fruit salad. You can always spike your lemonade with mint, it gives it a unique taste. As it has nearly 95% water content, watermelons act as thirst quenchers, and are good for hydration. Chef Anil Jayaprakash says that one can use watermelons in everyday preparation. It can be soaked in any marinade. One can also have it in the form of jelly for desserts. Coriander leaves and seeds show great health benefits. They are good sources of dietary fibre and iron. They aid digestion and help boost immunity. A number of spices and herbs have cooling characteristics. However, fresh coriander leaves and coriander seeds are more versatile when cooking. Try adding them as a rub, garnish or infuse them in teas.