Summer is here, and so are hot, sweltering days when all you feel like doing is reaching out for a tall glass of a drink that is slightly sweet and absolutely refreshing. Don’t ignore that gut feeling because it is just your body signaling to you that you are thirsty and dehydrated. These summer drinks that you opt for can be traditional Indian ones like Jal Jeera, Chaas, Lassi, Shikanji or any number of fresh fruit juices or Sharbats. They can also be trendy little mocktails, coolers, smoothies or juices that you came across on the ‘Gram and couldn’t resist whipping up. Summer months in India are all about indulging in these drinks and you will inevitably drink loads of them.
But here’s something about summer drinks that many people don’t realise. An excess of anything can be bad for your health, and summer drinks—though delicious and necessary to survive the summer months—run the risk of being unhealthy too. From being overly sweet due to excess sugar or syrup to having too little water or artificial sweeteners and flavours, there are many ways your favourite summer drinks can pose health risks to you.
Video courtesy: YouTube/Kunal Kapur
Wondering how to avoid these risks of having unhealthy summer drinks? There are a number of tricks and tips that can come in handy. Here are some key tips to make your summer drinks healthy that you should know about.
Skip The Sugar
Excessive sugar consumption has too many side effects, from too much glucose in the body to unwanted weight gain. One of the ways excess sugar slips into our bodies is through summer coolers and other drinks. So, avoid this excessive consumption by skipping the sugar altogether. Instead, you could depend on the natural sugar from fruits to sweeten your drinks.
Say No To Syrup
Is there anything worse than sugar? Yes, there is, and it is known as syrup. Whether the syrup you consume is made of maple or rose, the fact remains that syrup is basically highly concentrated sugar. So, even if you skip sugar in your summer drinks and have syrup, you’ll be doing your health plenty of harm. Instead, add agave or honey to your summer drinks to replace any need for syrup.
Get Proportions Right
While fruit juices, shakes, smoothies and sodas are all drinks recommended for summer, it is important to remember that what your body needs the most is water. So, it is better to go for water-based drinks like coolers, jal jeera, aam panna, etc. The next best thing is yoghurt-based drinks like chaas and lassi. Avoid soda and pre-packed shakes, juices and smoothies because they are also packed with concentrated sugars.
Opt For Freshly Squeezed
Fruit juices are usually very good for health. They are not only rehydrating, but also pack plenty of natural sugars, vitamins, minerals and electrolytes—all the nutrients you basically need to keep dehydration and heatstroke at bay. However, pre-packaged fruit juices have concentrated sugars and preservatives that can actually be counterproductive. So, if you want to have fruit juices, go for ones prepared with fresh fruits right in front of you.
Choose The Right Flavours
Nowadays, laying your hands on a number of drink flavours is the easiest thing in the world. From iced tea to mixers for mocktails and coolers, everything you need is available at stores and supermarkets. However, it is important to remember that these flavour mixers are usually synthetic and can lead to health issues. So, it is better to choose drink flavourings that are 100 percent natural and fresh.
Go For Natural Flavours
If you are looking for 100 percent natural flavourings to make your summer drinks both delicious and healthy, then go for ingredients like ginger, lemon, honey, etc. These ingredients are easily available in their fresh form and also boost the immune system. You can also use cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, rse petals and saffron to flavour your summer drinks. You can also go for herbs like mint, coriander leaves, rosemary, etc.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages might taste amazing, but they come with many pitfalls. Not only are most kinds of alcohol packed with calories, but they also have a dehydrating effect on the body. That’s the opposite of what you want in summers, which is why it is best to avoid alcoholic drinks and cocktails. If you are drinking during summer, however, then you need to pace yourself and drink plenty of plain water to ensure you can counter the dehydrating effect of alcohol.
Add Cooling Agents
Ice and yoghurt are the most obvious cooling agents in the world, but there are plenty of others too that you can access during the summer months. Coconut water, mint, watermelon, cucumbers, peppermint, chamomile and lemongrass are great examples of natural cooling agents that also double as great flavour additions. What’s more, these ingredients can also help you keep your stomach cool and body revitalized.