Even though people have become more conscious of their health and diet, soda is still very popular among children and adults. Also, since soda is so easily accessible, it becomes a go-to drink for most people for self-consumption as well as during parties and for serving guests. Other than spiking up the sugar levels in the body, sodas also have a lot of other negative effects on the body.
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As per the study published in the journal Cureus in 2023, artificially sweetened beverages like sodas can pose mental health risks, affect children and neurodevelopment, have cardiometabolic impacts, and also cause fatty liver diseases. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as there is more to the downside of sodas. In this case, it becomes imperative for a person to look for healthier and more natural alternatives to quench one's thirst.
Here are some refreshing and hydrating drinks that one can make at home:
* Lime Soda
What's better than a mixture of some citrusy lime juice and soda water? This is an extremely indulgent treat that is not entirely healthy but certainly a healthier beverage as compared to soft drinks. The best part about this drink is that it's so easy to make at home and gets prepared within a few minutes. One has to simply take a glass of soda water or sparkling water and then add the juice of half a lemon. For sweetening purposes, one can add a bit of honey. In India, people also like to add some kala namak to the drink to make it more tantalising.
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* Green Juice
Vegetable juice is a great way of detoxifying the body and is a low-calorie drink that can also satiate the thirst. Vegetables also do not contain a lot of sugar naturally so it's a great way to also watch out for calorie intake. A healthy and hearty glass of green juice that is made by a combination of spinach, lettuce, broccoli, and tomatoes, along with some oranges to give it a sweet and sour touch, is going to make one's day so much better. Green vegetables are a great source of different types of vitamins and minerals and also help with digestion.
* Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented libation highly credited for its digestive properties and the ability to make the immune system stronger. It is a sweet version of black tea that is fermented with the culture of yeast and bacteria. In some versions, this fermented tea is also flavoured with spices, fruits or other flavouring ingredients. The tea is believed to have originated in China and is now extremely popular among health enthusiasts. Kombucha is a deviation from conventional beverages and is worth a try if one wants to experiment with different healthy summer drinks.
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* Coconut Water
One can never really go wrong with coconut water, as it is one of the safest and most healthy ways of hydrating oneself while also giving the body different types of vitamins and minerals. As per the study published in the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology, coconut water is loaded with different types of antioxidants and has a unique composition of micronutrients. It can have anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic effects on the body. One doesn't have to put in any kind of effort to have coconut water, as it is perfectly alright on its own. However, one can also go creative and make different types of mocktails with coconut water as well.
* Buttermilk
Buttermilk is a great way to hydrate oneself. Buttermilk is a byproduct of curd and is made by adding water to curd to make its consistency thinner. In India, people like to add a lot of subtle spices, like cumin seed powder, chaat masala, kala namak, and black pepper, to buttermilk to give it delicious flavours. As buttermilk is made from curd, the drink also has all the goodness and healthy bacteria that curd has. It is great for digestion and can also provide a lot of relief to the stomach in case one is suffering from problems like inflammation.
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* Detox Water
Making detox water in the summer by simply adding different types of fruits, herbs, or vegetables to the water is pretty hassle-free and also very healthy. Detox water can be made by adding cucumbers, mint leaves, lime juice, oranges, lemons, and some fresh herbs like basil or thyme to the water. This gives water a very light and flavourful taste. This water can be sipped on throughout the day. This detox water becomes loaded with a lot of vitamins and minerals.