Midsummer is once again upon us, and with it, the intense summer sun that can bring on sunburns, dehydration, sun stroke and stomach ailments. While our gut reaction may be to guzzle iced drinks and cold food, this intense cold can cause more harm than good. It often leaves you feeling bloated, sluggish, achy or just plain sick.

Our bodies are meant to harmonize with Summer’s heat. Going too far in the opposite direction can unbalance us. Here’s an ancient secret for beating the heat: eat foods that are “cool” in essence rather than cold in temperature, like watermelon. This superfood gently cools the body without shocking your immune system and taxing your digestion with extreme temperature changes.

The most famous remedy to beat the heat is watermelon juice. Otherwise known as xi gua, this superfood has been included in Chinese herbal textbooks for centuries. It has an incredible ability to cool summer fevers, soothe sunburns and heal inflammation.

The best way to enjoy this healing fruit is by juicing the seeds, red flesh and white rind. The rind, usually thrown away, was commonly used back in the day to make pickles or stir-fries. Splash the watermelon juice on sunburned skin for instant relief and to promote healing. And drink a glass or two (cool, not ice cold) to treat any kind of heat condition.

In addition, make some other “cooling” foods part of your summer eating plan. Try apricots, peaches, berries, oranges, cucumbers, avocados, mung beans, eggplant, asparagus, bean sprouts, bamboo, bok chop, spinach, watercress, cilantro and mint.