Drinks that beat heat

Ayushi Bansal
One of the nature’s most refreshing drinks “COCONUT WATER” is consumed worldwide for its nutritious and health benefits. It’s a clear liquid sweet in taste, sterile and packed with simple sugar, electrolytes, and minerals to replenish hydration levels within the body. Each nut may contain about 200 to 1000 ml of water depending on cultivar type and size. Any nuts younger than five months of age tend to be bitter in taste and devoid of nutrients. In contrast, mature nuts contain less water, and their endosperm thickens quickly to white edible meat. It is composed of many naturally occurring bioactive enzymes such as acid phosphatase, catalase, etc. which further help in digestion and metabolism. Also, its water has much better composition of minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, and zinc than some of the fruits like oranges.
FRESH FRUIT JUICES
Everyone loves a cold glass of juice! Apple juice, orange juice, carrot juice – no matter the fruit or vegetable, it’s a refreshing staple in households around the world. A glass of fresh juice contains all the enzymes, minerals and vitamins that are easily absorbed in your body. If you do not have a fruit everyday, the easiest alternative is to make fresh juice a part of your diet. Fruit juices detoxify and naturally flush out the toxins from your body which results in weight loss. Besides, this fruit juice strengthens your immune system, aids digestion and prevents allergies and ailments from entering your system. Fresh juices are packed with soluble fiber, a type of fiber that supports good bacteria growth and digestive health. With the summer juices, the water content of your body reaches to the maximum level that you need. Freshly squeezed juice is filled with natural sugars that help your body produce energy. This natural sugar found in fruit, called fructose, helps normalize your blood sugar levels and prevents you from feeling hungry again soon after eating. They also have highest concentrations of antioxidants. Dark coloured vegetables usually contain more antioxidants.
JALJEERA
The wonder drink, ‘Jaljeera’, is consumed by people for various purposes. The beverage is essentially a form of lemonade, spiced with a combination of roasted cumin powder, ginger powder, herbs like coriander and mint, garam masala, chili powder, pepper and black salt. It does not only help in weight loss but also in treating diseases like scurvy. Health conditions such as acidity, nausea, menstrual cramps and constipation can be treated by drinking Jaljeera. The drink contains healthy spices and is effective in reducing the body heat and keeping it cool. The beverage works wonders for digestion and provides relief from acidity and heartburn. It is a thirst quencher and a better option than aerated beverages that contain a lot of calories. It is beneficial to drink Jaljeera twice a day for individuals who want to lose weight as it suppresses the appetite and individual tends to intake fewer calories. It is a rich source of iron and helps in preventing anemia.
BAEL JUICE
Bael or wood apple is a less common fruit of Indian origin. In appearance, the fruit is bulky with a tough outer while on the inside it contains bright yellow flesh with numerous seeds and hence the name given to it as WOOD APPLE. It is considered to be the best summer drink for its incredible cooling properties. The most common way of consuming this juice is in the form of Bael sherbet (Bael juice spiked with some salt and pepper). Loaded with fiber, unstained Bael juice can treat constipation and reduce bloating and hence regarded as best laxative. It mainly cleanses the intestine due to which it removes the old accumulated feces in the bowels if used regularly for a couple of months. After a good hot meal, one can always add bael juice to dessert or diet. The natural sweetness of the juice makes it suitable for diabetic patients as well. It does not require an additional spoonful of sugar. It reduces the oxidative stress that happens due to diabetes. It also increases blood count in our body thereby tackling hemoglobin and blood loss problems.
LASSI
Lassi is an age old Punjabi drink and is one of the most loved beverages across the whole country especially during summers. It is prepared from curd, churned into a creamy consistency by adding some water. Additional flavours can also be added like rose syrup, mango or khus khus to enhance the flavour. Lassi is a healthy summer drink that helps cooling the body temperature and cures prickly heat. It is rich in electrolytes and can easily fight dehydration. Drinking lassi daily will keep body heat in check and can help normalize blood pressure of the body. Sweetened or unsweetened, Lassi helps to reduce gastro-intestinal problems and improves metabolism. Regular consumption of lassi can help promote the growth of healthy bacteria and reduce the growth of bad bacteria in gut and aid in smooth digestion.