A lifestyle expert shares five foods that really cool your body from the inside out, according to science.

Summer is tough. The first instinct is always the same. Ice cream, cold drinks, and water that is cold. Anything that makes you feel cooler right away. It works for a little while. Then it goes away.

But that kind of cooling only works on the surface. Lifestyle expert Luke Coutinho says that it doesn't really lower body temperature in a meaningful way. It just makes the mouth feel cooler for a short time.

He said this in an Instagram post on April 23. He said, "If you really want to lower your body temperature, which is important for your health, skin, hair, gut, and immunity, you need foods that help with hydration, electrolytes, and digestion."

Why sugary cold foods don't work

The issue is easy. A lot of quick fixes have a lot of sugar in them. They feel good, but they don't help the body control heat from the inside.

What really works is drinking water. Ions. And foods that are easy to break down. That's where the change needs to happen.

Best foods that really cool your body from inside

Mostly water. Cucumber. Ninety-five percent. That alone makes it one of the easiest ways to get hydrated.

"Cucumber is 95% water, so it hydrates you right away and is good for collagen support." "It has potassium, keeps you from getting dehydrated, is easy on the stomach, has few calories, and lowers internal heat," Luke said.

You can eat it raw, with a little salt, in salads, or even with curd.

People often think of coconut water as a simple drink. But it does more than that.

It has a lot of electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium. It helps keep the right amount of fluids in your body better than store-bought sports drinks. But people with kidney problems should be careful.

He said, "It helps keep the body's fluids in balance better than all other sports drinks, making it perfect for mid-morning or after sweating." "Add a pinch of rock salt and a little lemon juice, and it's one of the best drinks you'll ever have."

In the summer, watermelon is almost always there. It has a lot of water in it—about 90%—and is easy to eat.

He said, "It's naturally cooling and refreshing." "It's a great snack, and you can have some after a big meal too."

It also has lycopene in it, which helps keep skin healthy when it's hot.

Curd does things differently. It helps the body stay cool and supports the gut.

It has a lot of probiotics in it. Can be eaten as is. Or like buttermilk. Or added to meals. It fits in with food you eat every day.

Mint doesn't look like much. But it has a lot of good things about it.

Menthol is what makes it feel cool. It also helps with digestion and makes you feel better when you're hot.

You can add it to chutneys, flavored water, or even iced tea.

Water in a clay pot: a simple change

Luke said something simple, as well. Water kept in a matka (a clay pot).

Naturally keeps the water cool. Slightly alkaline too. No additional labor. A slight change.

How these foods regulate body heat

“These foods work because they hydrate you better, they replenish electrolytes and they help with digestion, which reduces internal heat. It is not a short-term cooling. That's really a regulation within the body, and that's what our biology needs," he said.

That’s the difference. No silver bullet. But a steady balance.