Feeling the heat? Try these refreshing summer drinks!
One of the most common pieces of advice during the summer is to stay hydrated. Most of the drinks we consume to beat the summer heat are packed with health benefits. Several of these beverages can be easily prepared at home.
Health benefits of cooling drinks
Natural summer beverages not only quench thirst but also provide essential nutrients. The natural ingredients used in these drinks are rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics.
- Keeps the body hydrated: Excessive sweating and urination can lead to dehydration. Cooling drinks like coriander water and rice water help to retain moisture in the body.
- Reduces body heat: Overheating can cause dizziness, fatigue, and heatstroke. Drinks like spiced jaggery water, cucumber juice, and fenugreek water help regulate body temperature.
- Improves digestion: Drinks like coriander water, spiced buttermilk, and fenugreek water aid digestion and reduce stomach discomfort. Ingredients like ginger, cumin, and curry leaves further enhance digestive health.
- Boosts immunity: Gooseberry juice and mint cooler drinks are packed with antioxidants and vitamin E, which strengthen the immune system. These drinks help in cell regeneration, reduce fatigue, and increase energy levels.
- Enhances energy: Beverages like palm nectar drink, peanut drink, and chickoo shake provide natural sugars and healthy fats, making them ideal for maintaining energy levels.
- Supports heart health: coriander water contains potassium and low fat presence, which helps regulate blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Improves liver function: Tamarind juice, palm nectar drink, and fenugreek water detoxify the liver and remove harmful toxins from the body.
- Relieves digestive issues: Summer-related stomach issues such as diarrhoea and bloating can be alleviated with fenugreek water and spiced jaggery water.
- Promotes skin health: Dehydration can cause dry skin, dullness, and wrinkles. Cucumber juice keeps the body hydrated and enhances skin radiance.
- Reduces mental fatigue: Coriander water and black coffee help to refresh both the body and mind.
- Eases stomach pain and bloating: Coriander water and fenugreek water help regulate stomach acid and prevent gastric problems.
Let’s explore some refreshing drinks and their benefits.
Mint cooler
- It helps to cool the body and improve digestion.
- Reduces fatigue and dizziness during summer.
Preparation
Squeeze a lemon into a glass, add chopped mint leaves, a pinch of salt, and honey. Add water to it, blend it well, and drink.
Coriander water
- Helps to reduce body heat.
- Help in digestion and alleviate stomach discomfort.
Preparation
Soak a teaspoon of coriander seeds overnight. Drink the strained water in the morning. Adding a few drops of lemon juice enhances the benefits.
Fenugreek water
- Cools the body and relieves muscle fatigue.
- Helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Preparation
Soak a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds overnight. Drink the infused water in the morning.
Gooseberry juice
- A powerful coolant that boosts immunity.
- Promotes liver health.
Preparation
Blend fresh gooseberries with water. Add a pinch of salt and lemon juice before drinking.
Cucumber juice
- An excellent drink to reduce body heat.
- High water content helps keep the body hydrated.
Preparation
Blend chopped cucumber with water. Add lemon juice and honey for flavour.
Tender coconut water
- Tender coconut is the best remedy for dehydration.
- Provides relief from summer heat.
Can be consumed plain or with a few drops of lemon juice.
Spiced buttermilk
- Enhances digestion and cools the body.
- Ingredients like green chilli and ginger provide instant refreshment.
Preparation
Mix yoghurt with water. Add grated ginger, chopped green chilli, curry leaves, and lemon juice. Stir well before drinking.
These summer beverages help prevent seasonal illnesses and restore essential hydration and nutrients quickly, making them a healthy addition to your diet.
-The author is a Clinical Dietitian at Aster Medcity, Kochi