With the recent heat we’ve been enduring, the last thing most people want to eat is hot food like soup. However, there are surprising benefits to enjoying a steaming bowl of menudo from Delia’s Tamales, a traditional Mexican soup, even during the sweltering summer months. While it may seem counterintuitive, hot soups can help cool you down and offer numerous health benefits that make them a perfect addition to your summer diet.
How Hot Foods Cool You Down
According to research, eating hot foods like soup in warm weather can benefit your body by cooling you more effectively than cold foods. Here’s how it works: eating hot food increases your body’s internal temperature, which triggers your natural cooling mechanism—sweating. When you sweat, evaporation helps lower your body temperature, making you feel calmer. This effect is even more pronounced when consuming spicy soups, as the capsaicin in peppers induces sweating, further enhancing the cooling process.
The Spicy Advantage of Menudo
Menudo, a spicy Mexican soup made with tripe, hominy, and a rich broth seasoned with chilies, is an excellent example of how hot and spicy foods can help you beat the heat. The spiciness of menudo not only adds a delicious kick but also amplifies the sweating effect, allowing your body to cool down more efficiently. The peppers used in menudo, such as guajillo and ancho chilies, provide the perfect heat to induce sweating without overwhelming your taste buds.
Health Benefits of Menudo
In addition to its cooling effects, menudo offers several health benefits that make it a valuable addition to your diet:
- Rich in Nutrients: Menudo contains essential nutrients, including vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, and protein. The tripe provides a good source of collagen, which benefits skin, hair, and joint health.
- Digestive Aid: Menudo broth is often seasoned with herbs and spices that can aid digestion and soothe the stomach. Ingredients like garlic and oregano have natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
- Hydration: Eating soup helps to keep you hydrated, which is crucial during the hot summer months. Menudo’s high water content, combined with the electrolytes from the broth, ensures you stay hydrated and replenished.
Fresh Ingredients for Summer Menudo
One key element of a delicious summer menudo is the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients. At Delia’s Tamales, we take great pride in sourcing only the freshest ingredients for our menudo, ensuring that each bowl has flavor and nutrition.
Menudo and Savory Tamales
At Delia’s Tamales, we offer the perfect pairing for your summer cravings: hot and spicy menudo paired with our savory tamales. Whether you prefer chicken, pork, or beef tamales, our delicious options perfectly complement the bold flavors of our menudo.
Craving Spicy?
Enhance your menudo at Delia’s Tamales with our homemade salsa verde or rojo. Whether you crave tangy freshness or bold heat, our flavorful sauces add the perfect kick to elevate your menudo experience. Just a spoonful drizzled over your bowl will ignite your taste buds with a burst of flavor!
Delia’s Tamales: Your Go-To for Summer Menudo
Despite the summer heat, indulging in a bowl of hot menudo from Delia’s Tamales is a wise choice. Made with fresh, in-season ingredients sourced from local farmers’ markets, our menu offers a delicious and nutritious way to stay calm and satisfied all summer. With premium tripe, sweet corn, and a touch of spice, our menudo not only tantalizes your taste buds but also helps you beat the heat with its cooling effects.
