Trying to cool down? Go for the spicy food but skip the beer, says doc

When you're wilting under the hot summer sun, it's natural to go for the nearest liquid refreshment. But not all drinks will help you cool down, according to a report by Katrina Son on GMA's "News To Go" on Monday.

For instance, an ice-cold beer might sound good, but alcohol is a diuretic and will dehydrate the body by causing you to urinate more.

"Kung ma-stimulate tayo na umihi ng umihi, mababawasan pa 'yung tubig sa katawan, so mababawasan ang nagre-regulate ng init ng katawan," said internist Dr. Earl Sempio in the report.



Another common tactic—wearing layers of clothing to combat the heat—is not advisable either.

"Kapag nakabalot tayo ng mabuti, nata-trap lang doon lahat [ng init]," Sempio said. "So kahit nasisipsip ng damit yung pawis, hindi siya nage-evaporate, so lahat ng heat nandoon pa rin."

Still the most effective way to beat the heat? Drinking lots of water, said the doctor.

Another is eating citrus fruits with high water content, said the report.

Eating spicy food will also work, said Sempio. When we do so, he said, "naglalabas ng init yung katawan by evaporation ng pawis. So kung masyadong mainit yung katawan ng tao, maglalabas [ito] ng pawis. 'Yung pag-evaporate ng pawis, 'yun 'yung nagdadala ng init." — BM, GMA News