Summers can be incredibly exhausting and can leave you feeling drained out. Nothing better to refresh oneself with a quick and tasty drink! However, most summer drinks found in the market can be high in calories and have large amounts of sugar content. This can prove to be unhealthy, especially for those suffering from diabetes or looking to reduce weight. 

Read ahead to find out about some amazing tips and concoctions to try at home this summer that are healthy yet delicious!  

Tips for a healthy drink:

• You must avoid buying sweetened drinks that contain high sugar levels and artificial flavours for added sweetness. You may confuse about some drinks as natural but they may cause bloating and fast weight gain. Instead, opt for investing in a juicer. This way you can make fruit juices at home according to your liking. You can also monitor what goes in the fruit blend.  

• You must drink enough glasses of water in a day to balance out your intake. Summers can be crucial for the water levels in your body. Less water intake may lead to dehydration. Set up reminders throughout the day to have water, in between meals and in between your healthy juices or whole fruits for the added goodness of fibre that is lost while juicing.  

• Watch the portion size of your fruit drinks. It is okay to consume a certain amount but anything in excess can have unwanted effects.  
• Add ingredients like ginger, honey and lemon to your healthy drinks. These add a flavour to your drinks while being non-fatty and helpful for digestion. Lemons promote hydration, are a good source of Vitamin C, promote weight loss, improve skin quality and provide fresh breath. Honey is a safer alternative than sugar. It boosts the immune system, soothes allergies and aids in losing weight. Persons with diabetes can use stevia. Ginger is an excellent antioxidant that lowers the risk of diabetes, cancer, heart disease, etc.  

• Reduce the alcohol content in your drinks. Avoid alcoholic beverages especially in summer to steer clear of dehydration. 

• Try adding cooling agents to your summer drinks to keep your stomach cool and revitalized. Some options you must try include coconut water, mint, watermelon cubes, peppermint, chamomile and lemongrass. You can also find ready-made cooling agents like Rooh Afza which make for a quick drink. 

Summer drink ideas:  

As we enter into the hot season, we must replenish our bodies with rejuvenating summer drinks. These summer drinks are tasty, easy to make and use natural ingredients for complete health benefits. They include- 

• Aam Panna – This is a favourite among many locals. Made using mango pulp, cumin, jeera and mint leaves.  

• Buttermilk– or as we more fondly like to call it Chaas, is made from yoghurt and water. It can be altered according to your liking.  

• Sugarcane juice- It is a natural health drink that is sweet and great remedial medicine for many problems occurring in summer-like dehydration. 

• Barley water- This is comparatively easier to make. It cools the body, rehydrates it and allows better bowel movements. 

• Basil and Mint juice- It is a juice made from 5 to 6 basil leaves, mint, amla, coriander or neem leaves. Blend the ingredients with water and you have a cooling drink that prevents acidity and excessive gas. 

• Fennel seeds and jeera water can also be a healthier alternative to packaged juices.

• Coconut crush- made with coconut water and coconut milk with some crushed ice and added sweetener (sugar or stevia)

Some other summer drinks include- lemonade, watermelon juice, coconut water, sattu, aloe vera juice and chamomile tea.  

Also Read: Drinks That Make You Pass Stools Immediately: A Guide to Digestive Health

Why you must have healthy drinks during Summers:

We tend to turn to carbonated sodas and cool snacks like ice-creams to reduce the summer heat. These are high-calorie and sweetened. They affect one’s oral health, may cause weight gain and leave you feeling dehydrated and tired. Artificial energy drinks cause tooth decay and affect the kidney and lungs. It is a smarter choice to opt for homemade drinks with fresh and natural ingredients. Seasonal fruits and herbs are essential to have in your summer drinks! Choose your drink based on your underlying health condition. Avoid fruit juices if you are a person with diabetes.  

There is nothing more satisfying than a cool drink on a hot summer day. They gave a health boost and quench your thirst. Summer drinks are a nutritious way of feeling recharged and reinvigorated.  

Also Read: Is Coconut Water Good for Diabetes? A Fact-Based Discussion

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