June to September is a delightful season for those who utterly enjoy the monsoon rains. As skies turn dark and landscapes turn green, the arrival of monsoon season infuses new hope for a predominantly agricultural society like ours. The season is a lifeline for India! The rainy season introduces itself with mind-blowing weather, beautiful rainbows and hot snacks as the perfect accompaniment. Even though the monsoon season starts with heavy rains, there is some discomfort caused due to extreme humidity. The main reason behind this discomfort is that the sweat doesn’t evaporate well to cool down the body instead it sticks to the body. This could make one feel irritated and fuzzy. Not to throw a damper on the season, but we also fall prey to the flu, cough and unfortunate viruses.
Staying hydrated is one of the most essential things for overall health. Most of us religiously consume a healthy amount of water and other liquids in summer. However, we often tend to overlook this habit during the onset of the monsoon. When it comes to the rainy season, most of us are guilty of not drinking enough water as we rarely find ourselves feeling thirsty. But did you know that the humid temperature during monsoon calls for enough hydration?
One of the reasons people don’t drink enough water during monsoon is because they are constantly seeing so much of it around. Also, as the temperature is not that high, one tends to not feel thirsty and this reduces their intake of water. However, the body needs the optimum intake of water, irrespective of the season.
The humidity during the monsoon saps a large amount of water from the body, making us sweat incessantly, sometimes not smelling too good. 70 per cent of our body is made up of water but we tend to forget about this most vital nutrient. Due to excessive humidity in the surroundings, our bodies often tend to lose water at a faster rate, and this dehydration may lead to severe lethargy. During this time, the body needs additional electrolytes along with vitamins and minerals. If it is deficient, the body feels dehydrated. Therefore, it is highly recommended to intake a sufficient amount of water.
It’s imperative to drink lots of purified water to curtail the risk of stomach-related ailments. But, make sure that water is not at all contaminated as diseases like cholera and diarrhoea are quite rampant during the monsoons. Ensure that the water is filtered or boiled and avoid drinking water from unhygienic sources like roadside food joints or juice centres. Carry your water bottle when stepping or opt for a treated water bottle when required.
Avoid compensating your liquid intake with carbonated, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks and beverages as the preservatives and sugars in them act as diuretics. Instead, drink warm herbal teas, especially those with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to increase your immunity. You can also swap your morning cup of tea with herbal teas like ginger tea, chamomile tea, etc, which act as good immunity boosters.
If you are thinking about whether your water intake is enough to keep the body hydrated, fret not. Here’s an easy test to gauge if you are dehydrated – just pinch the skin on the knuckle. If your skin goes down easily and quickly, you are well hydrated. However, if the skin takes longer to go down or stays as it is, then you need to pump your water intake.
But hey, look on the bright side, we have combined the top drinks you should indulge in this monsoon, to keep you hydrated, refreshed and ready to take on the fun. So, the rainy season got nothin’ on you!
- Watermelon juice is the best drink to keep the body dehydrated during the humid season. It contains vitamins A, B6, B1 and C. All of these provide additional benefits for the body. Watermelon contains 90 per cent water. So it does not help to keep the body hydrated. It is also rich in amino acids, antioxidants and lipoxin.
- Smoothies are another good way to incorporate electrolyte-rich foods into the diet. It contains whole foods like fruits, seeds, vegetables, nuts, etc. which provide the body with important nutrients. If you now want to replace the lost electrolytes in a healthy and nutritious way, then these types of drinks should be chosen.
- The Pomegranate, with ruby arils, is packed with all the vitamins to keep you refreshed for the season. So throw those pom poms in your body and not in the air as they improve blood flow and blood pressure to give you a healthy heart. That’s not all! The scintillating red juice controls the blood’s bad cholesterol level too. As a fruit, the pomegranate has hit the jackpot! It looks good, tastes good and does your body right.
- Not only does the guava keep you healthy during the season but it also helps get rid of excess body weight. Loaded with Vitamin C, it keeps your skin, hair and body nourished throughout with just a few gulps of such drinks. Take the best out of guava and nothing else, that’s why the Natural Guava Gush comes with the whole fruit and no added ingredients.
- Ginger tends to boost your metabolism in the monsoon and your mood! However, ginger is best when you meet it with its entourage! We are talking about the tangy lemon and the charming aloe vera. The three together conquer the health quotient of your body and keep the unwanted colds at bay! The monsoon threesome shields your body with its goodness. So take in a few such drinks that are filled with ginger, lemon and aloe vera to keep you going during the monsoon time!
- Buttermilk, also called chaas, is one of the healthy and refreshing curd-based drinks. Owing to its versatility, it can be consumed at any hour of the day – be it during lunch, after dinner, or as a substitute for tea and coffee in the evening. Buttermilk has cooling effects on the body and the good bacteria in it aids in digestion, reduces fats, and offers proteins and vitamins. Like me, if you’d like some extra flavour to it, add black salt or roasted cumin powder.
- Sattu ka Sharbat is something we’ve all heard but barely tried. Originated from the eastern state of Bihar, this drink can be consumed in three ways – with sugar-sweetened chilled water; buttermilk with a hint of black salt, lemon, and coriander leaves; or with water topped with grated jaggery. Make a glass of Sattu and consume it as a morning beverage to reap maximum benefits.
- Lassi has always been our go-to saviour during summers as well as other days of the year. Made from smooth yoghurt, this drink can be made in variants like Kesar, mango, mint, strawberry, banana, or litchi. Lassis involves absolutely no preservatives or harmful ingredients and can be consumed regularly in moderate proportions.
You can inculcate the habit of having a glass of water first thing in the morning. Not only will it set the tone for the day, but it has amazing benefits as well. Starting your day with water improves digestion, skin health, and metabolism. Just remember, skipping water while it rains outside is causing more harm to your body. So, when did you drink your last glass of water today? We’d like a tall glass of radiance this season! Would you like one too?
0 Comment