China's Heatwave: The Science Behind Hugging Giant Winter Melons to Cool Down

Amidst record-breaking heatwaves gripping China, residents are adopting unique methods to cope with the extreme temperatures, one of which involves hugging giant winter melons (beligo) while sleeping. Photos and videos depicting children and even pets snuggling with these oversized vegetables, nearly as large as their bodies, have gone viral globally on social media, sparking widespread discussion. The China Meteorological Administration (CMA) has continuously issued high-temperature warnings throughout July, with areas like western Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, southern Shaanxi, Shanghai, and Chongqing experiencing temperatures between 35 and 39 degrees Celsius. In Xinjiang, temperatures were predicted to potentially exceed 50 degrees Celsius, among the highest recorded this year. These extreme conditions are prompting people to seek ways to cool their bodies without relying solely on air conditioning, exploring methods reportedly passed down through generations. The key to the cooling effect of hugging winter melons lies in their high water content. Winter melons, native to South and Southeast Asia, can grow up to approximately 60 centimeters in length and weigh over 9 kilograms. Crucially, they contain more than 95 percent water, significantly higher than most other fruits and vegetables like apples (around 84 percent water) or carrots (around 88 percent water). This high water content is directly related to a physical property called specific heat capacity, which is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius. Water possesses a much larger specific heat capacity than most other materials, including metals and wood, meaning it can absorb and release heat efficiently. This suggests that winter melons can function as a 'natural cooling agent,' effectively absorbing body heat and mitigating surrounding warmth. This phenomenon highlights how people are ingeniously utilizing natural properties to adapt to their environment, especially in the face of extreme weather events. While regional differences and cultural contexts vary, the growing interest in such folk wisdom may offer insights into adaptation strategies in an era of global climate change. Source: Mongabay Indonesia