Does eating actually raise body temperature? It’s a question many of us have asked ourselves with little more than speculation as the basis for our answer.
With cold and flu season in full swing, knowing whether or not to blame food for feeling warmer is an important factor in beating germs and staying healthy.
In this blog post, we’re going to delve into the science behind how foods can influence your body temperature so that you’ll know what changes you need to make if you want to keep your core temperature at its most comfortable level.
How Food Can Influence Body Temperature?
What may come as a surprise to some is that certain foods actually play a major role in regulating body temperature.
The heat generated from consuming warm beverages and spicy food items can expand the blood vessels, which can help your body retain heat in cold weather.
Additionally, spicier meals tend to increase metabolic activity, causing the body to produce more heat and consequently raising the body temperature.
Foods high in carbohydrates or fat will have the opposite effect because they actually desire to keep your core temperature low while cooling your extremities.
In addition to the type of food you consume, the amount of it that you eat is also important in regulating your body temperature.
Eating large amounts at once can create a “thermal overload” leading to an increase in your internal temperature.
On the other hand, eating smaller meals more frequently can help keep your body temperature steady as it will not be overwhelmed by too much food.
Also, it is important to stay hydrated – this helps to disperse the heat generated through metabolism and prevents overheating.
To further help regulate your body temperature, you should also consider adding certain types of foods to your diet.
Foods such as leafy greens, watermelon, and broccoli are high in water content and can help cool down the body when eaten during hot weather.
Eating these together with a balanced portion of protein and fats will ensure that your body temperature is kept within a comfortable range.
Different Types Of Foods That Raise Body Temperature
Some of the best foods to raise body temperature include hot peppers, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, chicken soup, and chili.
Hot peppers are an excellent source of capsaicin which can help to increase body temperature.
Ginger is high in anti-inflammatory properties which can also help to raise your core body temperature. Garlic has antimicrobial activity that can help to warm you up.
Cinnamon is another popular spice used to raise body temperature. It can also help to reduce inflammation in the body and improve circulation.
Chicken soup is a classic remedy for boosting body temperature, as it contains generous amounts of protein, vegetables, and spices that all work together to keep your core body temperature up.
Finally, chili is an excellent source of protein and has a mix of spices that can help to raise your body temperature. It also contains capsaicin which provides further warming effects on the body.