Eating hot foods can be found difficult for most people especially in a warm climate such as ours.

However, food temperatures have little or nothing to do with the weather conditions but more to do with the body and its contributions alongside food nutrients.

One important factor that helps regulate food intake is the extra heat released into the body when it is assimilated.

BODEX BLOG outlines other beneficial ways hot meals are to the health.

Mode of digestion

Hot meals aid proper digestion because of the time it takes to consume it. This enables the consumer to eat in adequate proportions which in turn gives less work to the organ that breaks down food.

Also, during the preparation of the meal, the chemicals in the food would have been broken down before it is served and consumed; the body easily absorbs the nutrients as they diffuse into the system, increasing the nutritional value.

Low risk of bacterial contamination

It is difficult for micro-organisms to survive in hot foods. Micro-organisms die while cooking but allowing the food get cold will reintroduce the bacteria, if not careful; which makes eating the meal in a hot state healthier.

Generates energy for consumption

Warm food restores the energy cold food saps from the body and equally stores up more energy for future use.

Regulates body temperature and weight

One key thing about ingesting hot food is that it regulates the body temperature in response to a cold climate, as it provides warmth from the hot food ingested.

Hot meals also help with body weight and fat; the suppression of appetite observed during the body’s exposure to heat causes the body weight level to drop below set-point which aids greater metabolic efficiency.

Once the body is able to rid unwanted products, the weight would be regulated.

The after-feeling

The feeling you get after taking a hot meal is an amazing one, compared to a cold meal.

The fridge can be a lifesaver and to some people, it can be almost impossible to imagine a world without refrigerators.

Refrigeration is known globally as a means of storage and it is believed to extend the shelf life of some food items, especially fresh food.

But it’s not everything you should put in the fridge.

Here are some of those items.

Chocolate

Think about it, have you ever seen a store put chocolates in a fridge?

Chocolate should never be kept in a fridge, although exceptions can be made for wafers with very thin chocolate layers and chocolates with creamy fillings.

If chocolate stored in cold temperature is exposed to warmer air, condensation occurs on the surface; dissolving the sugar, which recrystallises as a grainy white layer.

Chocolate also absorbs odours, so there is the risk of your chocolate tasting like the soup in your fridge.

Butter

Unlike milk and cream, butter will not go bad if you leave it out of the fridge.

Butter is made from pasteurised cream, which repels bacteria and lengthens its shelf life. It’s also mostly fat (at least 80 per cent) —high fat combined with a low water content makes it less friendly to bacterial growth.

However, butter should not be kept for too long as it can go rancid.

Jam

Keeping jam in the fridge is like handing an invitation to mould.

When jam is kept in the fridge, hot air becomes trapped in the jar, forming a gap between the lid and the contents. That gap is the perfect environment for bacteria to germinate.

Jam is naturally acidic because of its fruit content and that inhibits bacterial growth.

Peanut butter

The assumption is that peanut butter should be stored in a fridge because it does not contain preservatives.

Peanut oil can withstand high temperatures, so it won’t melt if it gets hot. You don’t have to worry about rancidity if it is consumed within three months.

Bananas

Bananas grows and matures in the hot sun so the cold atmosphere of your refrigerator is strange.

When kept in the fridge, the ripening enzymes become inactive. As these become inactive, other enzymes — which cause cell damage and blackened skin — work more efficiently.

Bananas are best stored in a cool place where they can ripen at a normal pace.

Bread

The reality is that keeping bread in a fridge dries it out— the low temperature sucks out the moisture and makes it go stale faster.

Fresh herbs

Excess water makes leaves slimy and light. Instead of storing in a fridge, lightly wrap them in a damp towel and keep in a sealed container.

Tomatoes

Ever noticed that tomato skin becomes tougher if kept in the fridge?

Tomato is known to be a perishable food item but it is best kept at room temperature to avoid chilling injury.

When some items are stored at low temperature, the tissues weaken because they are unable to carry on normal metabolic activities and that is where spoilage begins.

Onion/Garlic

Storing these in a dry, dark place would prevent sprouting and moulding.

Garlic would go mouldy in a fridge and cut onions will make the fridge and other foods therein smell.

Instant coffee

It’s tricky to store instant coffee because it attracts moisture, which damages its aroma. Condensation builds up in the container as a result of placing it in and out if the fridge.

Your coffee will stay fresh on a cupboard.

A restful night’s sleep is essential to your overall health as proven by research. However, some factors and choices you make during bedtime hours can affect the duration and quality of your sleep.

One of these choices which is often overlooked is the kind of food you consume. Yes, the food you eat before going to bed can affect your sleep.

Without further ado, here are foods you should avoid before bedtime.

Spicy foods
During bedtime hours, you should avoid spicy foods like pepper soup if you want to have a restful sleep.

According to a study, spicy foods can cause indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux.

However, these symptoms can get even worse when you lie down to sleep as acid may travel into the esophagus, causing irritation. This can affect your sleep and lead to disturbances.

Another study suggests that intake of spicy meals elevates body temperature, which is associated with poorer sleep quality.

During bedtime hours, steer clear of spicy foods if you experience heartburn after intake.

High-sugar foods
Consuming foods that contain too much-processed sugar or high glycemic index like white bread, sweets and cookies has a negative effect on health as well as the quality of your sleep.

Several researches have associated the consumption of these foods with insomnia and poor sleep.

A 2019 study on women found that people with a high glycemic diet are at higher risk of insomnia.

A night diet high in sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and refined carbs was also associated with poor sleep quality.

You can have difficulty falling asleep when you take these foods during bedtime hours.

Fatty or fried foods
Foods high in fat or fried like fried chicken have been associated with poor sleep.

Research shows that greater fat intake may negatively affect your sleep pattern. A 2016 study of 26 adults found that a higher intake of fat was associated with lighter, less restorative sleep.

Aside from this, fatty or fried foods also have the potential to cause digestive discomfort or indigestion and this can disrupt your sleep.

So, take greasy foods in moderation when it is bedtime hours or steer clear completely if it is likely for you to experience indigestion.

Caffeinated foods
Normally, caffeinated foods and drinks are stimulants and are taken by people to stay alert, awake, and energised.

Taking such during bedtime without any intention of staying up at night is like shooting yourself in the leg.

Research shows that consuming coffee, even many hours before bedtime can have a significant disruptive effect on your sleep.

If you want a peaceful, restful night’s sleep, avoid any type of food or drink that contains caffeine.

Ultra-processed foods
Ultra-processed foods like fast foods are not the best option for you when you want a peaceful sleep.

These foods have been constantly linked to poor sleep quality and short sleep duration, particularly in adolescents.

A study investigating the sleep habits of Brazilian adolescents found that a higher intake of ultra-processed foods is a risk factor for poor sleep quality.

Aside from having better overall health, your sleep will also improve when you cut down on processed foods.

Try taking whole grain foods, foods high in lean protein and nuts instead if you want to improve your sleep duration and quality.