Youth Incorporated Magazine

With temperatures rising all across the country, it is hard to be drawn towards any sort of spicy foods. Here we have a list of the most hydrating and cooling foods you could possibly come across, to beat the scorching heat –

Iceberg lettuce

Iceberg lettuce is one of the two vegetables with the highest water content, i.e 95%. Although, green vegetables like spinach and romaine lettuce contains a large amount of fiber and other essential nutrients, the water content does the trick. Iceberg forms the base for many salads made in any form, around the globe, and add a crunchy texture to it.

Cucumber

Cucumber has a 96% water content, which is probably why it has been conferred the ‘Summer Veggie’ title. Whether you eat it in a salad or just by itself, the humble cucumber provides the perfect burst of freshness in the harsh summer weather. Cucumber is also known to contain antioxidants and have acne-clearing properties, and is a consistent content in many face washes, creams and scrubs.

Watermelon

An absolute no-brainer here, watermelon is one of the most hydrating and tastiest foods to have, not only in summer, but any given time of the year. Lycopene, which is found in most red fruits and vegetables, is rich in its content in watermelons. It is also an antioxidant and helps fight cancer. Watermelons can also be blended into a refreshing summertime drink. Pineapples

Zucchini

While Zucchini has 95% water content, it is often lost because of the classic ‘stir-frying’ or sautéing that we tend to cook Zucchini. Instead of ‘cooking’ it, shred it into a salad. If you’re looking for a healthier variant on pasta, thin slice of zucchini is the perfect substitute, especially if you like a cold salad-y pasta. Another fun fact is that many bakers use Zucchini in their cakes because of the water content, which adds moisture to the cakes.

Yoghurt

There are not a lot of yoghurt haters out there, especially since there’s so many flavours to choose from. Yoghurt also makes an excellent dessert, especially if you’re trying to go the healthy route. It is soothing and cooling to our digestive system, and is even more so in higher temperatures. Additionally, studies show that low-fat yoghurt also helps to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.