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With it just getting hotter and hotter here in OKC, there is nothing better to help you cool off like ice cream right? Wrong. When you start eating the ice cream you get an instant cooling effect in your mouth, which does help with the heat a bit. But depending on how much you eat, ice cream can actually make you feel even hotter.
So you're like "what science is this you speak of?" But it's all really just digestion. When we eat anything with calories, it takes some work to burn off fats, proteins and sugars. “It’s all about the thermic effect of digestion and absorption,” dietitian Tara Marchello explains. “And when we digest, it creates energy and heat. And therefore, our body temperature can go up.”
She says she wouldn't say to not have ice cream on these hot summer dayse, but there are things you can do to positively affect your body temp to keep you cool. Like:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water with no added sugar.
- Load up on foods with high water content, like tomato, cucumbers, berries and melon, which will also help you stay hydrated.
- Limit eating heavy or fried foods, as well as meats and bread, when it’s really hot outside because they also take a little more work to digest, which can raise body temperature.
- When it’s hot outside, stick to moderation, take your time and savor the moment while you’re indulging in ice cream and your body will thank you later.