Heat wave: 10 natural cooling drinks to beat the summer heat

As the temperature goes high in the summer season, we look for coolants and drinks to get respite from the heat. Summer season increases our likeness for drinks as a response to the water content getting removed from the body in the form of sweat.

While having plain water is good, adding varieties to it is even better.

It is surprising to know that there are several such things around us, which can be a good addition to water and make a super coolant for summers.

Natural cooling drinks carry organic ingredients unlike the factory made soft drinks which are just sweetened carbonated water.

The ingredients present in the cooling drinks are often natural fruits or vegetables which when added to water fuse their active contents into it. So one huge benefit of having cooling drinks is that we not only hydrate the body, we also nourish ourselves at the same time.

Another added advantage is that no synthetic ingredients are added to homemade cooling drinks. So, people of all ages can have it irrespective of their health conditions.

Nothing beats a glassful of coconut water during the summer season. You can even have it directly from the shell itself using even pouring it out. One cup of coconut water, which is approximately 240 ml, contains 60 calories, 15 grams carbs, 8 grams of sugar, and around 15% of the dietary value of potassium. Coconut water contains 94% water.

Sugarcane juice is the extract obtained from the raw sugarcanes by pressing them. The raw extracts are seasoned with black salt, pudina and lemon thus making it the perfect coolant for summer blended with the right taste and ingredients. A small cup of sugarcane juice contains 180 calories, 30 grams of sugar and it is high in dietary fibres.

Bael or bilva fruits are widely used in Indian households for making cooling drinks during summer afternoon. These hard-shelled fruits are a powerhouse of nutrients. Bael fruit contains beta-carotene, protein, riboflavin, vitamin C, vitamin B1 and B2, along with trace elements like calcium, potassium and fiber.

Pudina is loved in India irrespective of the season and occasion. Be it a golgappa or a chaat or an evening snack, pudina is a common addition to almost every Indian food. Pudina is rich in phosphorus, calcium and vitamins like C, D, E and A.

A tumbler full of butter milk cools down the body even during the peak hours of noon, is what our mothers have told us. This age-old statement is relevant till date. Not just a cooling drink, buttermilk is a big source of nutrients when you look at its nutritional composition. One cup of this fermented dairy milk contains 110 calories, 9 grams of protein, 13 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fat and close to 12 grams of sugar.

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Aam Panna is prepared using raw mango pulp, jeera and pudina leaves. One serving of Aam Panna contains 93 calories, close to 5 grams of carbs and 1.5 grams of protein.

Salty and tangy tasting drink, Jaljeera is a favorite of many. One glass of jaljeera contains 69 calories, 1.9 grams of proteins, 5.5 grams of carbohydrates and 1.4 grams of fiber.

Sattu or powdered chana (Bengal gram) is widely used in the northern parts of the country. 100 grams of sattu contains 413 calories, close to 64 grams of carbohydrates, 25 grams of protein and 18 grams of fibre.

Strained barley water is a lesser known summer cooling drink. One cup of this water contains 81 calories, 2.8 grams of protein, 16.7 grams of carbohydrates and 0.9 gram of fiber.

Nimbu paani is the ultimate summer cooling drink. 100 grams of lemonade contains 29 calories, 1.1 grams of protein, 2.5 grams of sugar, 2.8 grams of fiber and 9.3 grams of carbohydrates.