summer
Come summers, temperatures begin to soar high leaving everyone tired, sweaty and messed up. Staying hydrated is the most important factor to keep going in this sweltering heat and maintain good health. Your body tends to lose water at a faster pace due to excessive sweating. While water is the utmost important drink to quench thirst, but drinking water all on its own - well it’s a little uninteresting at times. And what about the times when you need something a little more flavourful than plain ol’ water? Try refreshing summer drinks that provide additional benefits of replenishing your body with essential nutrients. This week we have compiled a refreshing mix of summer drinks that will keep you cool and hydrated this season...
Lemonade: This is like a summer staple. It is tangy, sweet, salty, and all things nice. The classic drink of all times, lemonade is the first drink to pop into your head when anyone mentions summer drinks. A quick drink to make and amazingly delicious, this drink is prepared using mint leaves, lemons, sugar, salt and water. You can also add spices like cumin, coriander powder, black pepper, et al to make it interestingly tasty.
Lemons are rich in Vitamin C. They provide a range of nourishing nutrients that keep our bodies hydrated and fresh during the season. Lemons’ natural antioxidants and antibacterial properties aid in the fight against infections, especially viral fevers and common colds that are prevalent during the summer. Vitamin C aids in the restoration of damaged cells and the removal of wrinkles, blemishes, and other skin issues. Lemon juice mixed with water is beneficial to the body, particularly in hot weather.
Watermelon juice: If there’s that one perfect fruit for summer, it is watermelon. Loaded with essential nutrients and antioxidants, it offers a wide range of health benefits. It keeps you hydrated throughout the day, helps in weight loss, reduces kidney diseases, and reduces the risk of hypertension. Watermelon juice is extremely refreshing, and its hydrating properties assist in keeping the body hydrated and fresh. Nothing can be better than serving watermelon juice in an insulated tumbler to the guests with some ice cubes on top.
Coconut water: A chilled glass of coconut water can instantly cheer you up. The mild sweetness and fresh taste makes it just the perfect drink to keep summer blues at bay. It may be the healthiest natural drink you can have on a hot summer day. It forms naturally in the fruit and contains 94 per cent water and very little fat. Coconut water is a lot more than just a dose of electrolytes and sugar. It is an excellent source of several nutrients and contains many antioxidants. In addition to being naturally sweet and low in calories, coconut water is proven to be better than plain water in preventing dehydration. Hence, this summer, replace the cold carbonated beverages with the all-natural coconut water to promote good health.
Sugarcane juice: Fresh juices are always a better option over other beverages. What can be better than a glass of sugarcane juice on a hot summer day? Its sweet taste is just too amazing to miss. Sugarcane juice is super refreshing and its hydrating properties help keep your body hydrated and fresh. It gives you instant energy and makes you feel rejuvenated immediately. Sugarcane juice is good for health since it includes a number of essential nutrients that help in building a strong immune system. It is high in iron, magnesium, calcium, and other electrolytes. It helps build up plasma and body fluids, helping you counter dehydration and dullness. Since it is high in antioxidants, it assists in the fight against diseases and improves the immune system. It is also good for people suffering from digestive issues and helps keep stomach diseases at bay.
Lassi: This traditional organic beverage, sweet or salty, is made by blending yogurt, water, sugar or salt, and some spices. Lassi is considered to be an amazing summer cooler. Extremely refreshing, it helps in cooling down your body. And you can easily make different variations with it by adding mint, mango, banana, etc. Apart from being a refreshing summer drink, this oh-so-satisfying drink has many benefits. It is full of probiotics, which means it is good for digestion and has a lot of essential nutrients including proteins, calcium, and potassium. It also prevents sunstrokes and nausea and is an effective drink for treating dehydration. A glass of lassi should be on your list for the entire summer season.
Sattu sherbat: What's better than bringing a desi summer drink to your rescue? This sweet treat is well-known for its cooling properties. It is made with sattu flour, sugar and water; that's all it needs. It's not only refreshing but also filling. Sattu is rich in protein, fibre, calcium, iron, and magnesium. The sherbat is excellent for digestion, makes your skin glow, helps in weight loss and fights numerous diseases. Its high protein content is just perfect to provide you with a refreshing bout of energy on a hot sunny day.
Falsa juice: The sweet and tangy falsa juice is an excellent drink to have in summer. Falsa itself is consumed for its cooling effects in summer as well as for its other health benefits. The fruit also offers radiation protection which is a plus. Falsa is a good source of Vitamin-C, and its juice is possibly the best tasting and the most refreshing drink we can sip during the burning summers. Falsa juice works as a digestive... with added benefits!
Aam panna: An absolute lip-smacking drink, Aam panna does not only keep you refreshed but also energised through sunny days. This refreshing summer drink is prepared using mango pulp. It is prepared by adding cumin, black salt, sugar, mint leaves with the mango pulp. It is simply delicious and helps you fight against the extreme summer heat.
Barley water: This drink is one of the oldest remedies for good health. Barley water is rich in vital nutrients and it ranks high in the group of balanced drinks. Since barley is a good source of soluble and insoluble fibre, vitamins, essential minerals, anti-oxidants, and phytochemicals that are thought to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, barley water also reaps these benefits, making it a health booster. To make this drink, mix barley with water. Allow it to boil and cool down. Add salt, lemon, and a dash of honey, and carry it to work for sipping it through the day.