5 REFRESHING SUMMER DRINKS TO QUENCH YOUR THIRST WITH!

Introduction

With the hot season already setting in, your body must be craving solace in the form of refreshing summer drinks. Thirst is the brain’s way of telling you to hydrate yourself. Water is the obvious and foremost choice. But why not make things a bit more exciting by experimenting with a variety of refreshing drinks? Read on to learn about some of the best summer drinks you could try this season. 

Why do you need to be hydrated in summer?

Almost three-fourths of our body is made up of water. Due to excessive heat in summers, we tend to lose a lot of water and fluids in the form of sweat. This results in loss of electrolytes from the body, which may cause dehydration. It may lead to dizziness and loss of orientation. To avoid this, one must remember to replenish this water loss by consuming more fluids in the form of summer cooler drinks and other refreshing drinks.

Top 5 summer drinks to keep you cool 

Indian summer drinks

Some of the best summer drinks that keep you cool and hydrated are of Indian origin. The most preferred among them are:

• Jal jeera - This low-calorie Indian summer drink is a common favourite because of its refreshing flavour. Made using ingredients such as cumin, black pepper, ginger powder, and mint, jal jeera stimulates the secretion of digestive juices. It also cools your body temperature down.
• Aam panna - This tangy, raw mango drink is known for its cooling properties. In addition to being rich in vitamins, aam panna regulates the body’s electrolyte balance, thus preventing dehydration. It is easy on the stomach and is an excellent immunity booster.
• Solkadhi - Straight out of the Goan cuisine, this refreshing summer drink is made using kokum and coconut milk. Kokum is a tropical fruit of the mangosteen family. Its consumption cools your body. It reduces acidity and cuts down the risk of heat strokes.
• Bel sherbet - Drinking a glass of bel (wood apple) juice instantly cools you down and gives you energy. It is even known to fight infections and reduce inflammation.
• Thandai - This is a popular Indian summer drink. It is prepared in most Indian households during the Holi festival, which marks the onset of summer. It is a milk-based drink, flavoured with saffron, rose water, almonds, and poppy seeds. Furthermore, it soothes the body from the oppressive heat. 

Infused water

Simply put, the addition of herbs, fruits, and vegetables to plain water turns it into infused water. The water garnished in this way and left overnight has enormous health benefits. In addition to rehydration, it imparts essential vitamins and minerals to your body. Infusion enhances the appeal of plain water and is nutritious as well. Some commonly used infusions with water include lemon, cucumber, mint, basil, rosemary, cinnamon, kiwi, lime, and berries.

Shikanji or varieties of lemonade

Lemon juice, salt, and sugar remain the base ingredients in this drink. Additionally, rose syrup, pineapple juice, green grapes, mint leaves, and even green tea can be incorporated. Shikanji features among the best natural cooling drinks and is rich in antioxidants. It also helps in digestion.

Tender coconut water

Who can miss the tempting treat of coconut water in summer? This is an excellent source of potassium and it serves to flush out the toxins from your body. Its antioxidant properties make it highly beneficial for heart and kidney health. It restores the equilibrium of electrolytes in your body.  

Tropical fruit smoothies

Are smoothies for summer a good idea? Definitely, they are great options, especially before or after workouts. To give a touch of variety to your summer cooler drinks, try out some smoothie recipes. Bananas, mangoes, pineapples, berries, and watermelons are suitable ingredients to make tropical smoothies for summer. Blending them with milk or Greek yoghurt adds to the deliciousness. Check out the food and beverage section at Wellness Forever for a range of yoghurt options.

For vegans, you can use alternatives like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk. All these ingredients are available at a click of a button. 

What to watch out for?

Here are some things that you must keep in mind, while enjoying your refreshing summer drinks:

• Do not consume chilled drinks immediately after exposure to the hot sun. It may lead to sore throat and digestive issues. Instead, wait for a while and take your sip.
• Avoid ‘energy’ drinks loaded with high sugar content. They cause more harm than actual hydration.
• Steer clear of sodas as they just add on calories and are bad for your dental health.
• Drink water instead of other summer drinks when you are travelling by plane. Flights have low-humidity air, resulting in lower hydration. In such cases, water acts as the best replenishing agent.
• Try not to indulge in too much alcohol. Its over-consumption increases the frequency of urination, which may severely dehydrate your body.

Key takeaway

Rejuvenate your body with these delectable cooling drinks meant for summer. Hydration is the best way to beat the summer blues. Whether it is just plain water or refreshing summer cooler drinks, remember to restore your body with ample fluids to prevent summer dehydration and heat strokes.

FAQs

1. Is it good to drink coconut water on an empty stomach?

Drinking tender coconut water on an empty stomach is actually a great idea, as it speeds up metabolism and keeps you refreshed throughout the day. Coconut water is rich in minerals like potassium, which helps maintain fluid balance and muscle functioning.

2. Why do people use clay pots or matkas to store water during summers?

Clay pots or matkas have tiny pores on their surface, through which a certain amount of water keeps evaporating due to the outside heat. This produces a cooling effect on the remaining water inside the pot. Hence, you get naturally cool water without having to refrigerate it. 

3. Which are the best summer drinks that aid in weight loss?

There are quite a few healthy summer drinks that can bring about weight loss, in addition to being refreshing. Apple cider vinegar, green iced tea, barley water, mint lemonade, chia lemon juice, and detox waters are some great options to burn calories, while beating the heat. 

4. Which drinks or beverages should be avoided in summer?

It is best to cut down on tea, coffee, soda, alcohol, and carbonated beverages in summer. They end up causing greater health concerns instead of recharging your body’s fluid content