Summer brings with it sweat, fatigue, dehydration, and stomach problems. Everyone seeks cool and refreshing options during this time. But are you aware that some drinks can be extremely harmful to your health in the summer? These beverages may offer temporary relief but can negatively impact your overall well-being.
In summer, coolness alone doesn't make a drink beneficial; the ingredients, their effects, and the body's needs must be considered. Let's explore five common beverages to avoid during this season.
Tea and Coffee – Caffeine can increase dehydration
Many people begin their day with tea or coffee in the summer. However, this habit can lead to dehydration. The caffeine in tea and coffee is a diuretic, which rapidly expels water from the body.
Potential harms:
- Dehydration
- Increased sweating
- Headaches and fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
What to do:
Limit intake to one or two cups a day, followed by water or herbal drinks.
Alcohol – Heats the body, dulls the mind
Drinking alcohol in the summer can be dangerous. Alcohol raises body temperature and promotes dehydration. It not only affects your mental state but also causes extreme fatigue.
Harms:
- Fatigue, dizziness, and headaches
- Water and electrolyte imbalance
- Excessive sweating
- Increased risk of heatstroke in hot weather
Alternatives:
Instead of alcohol, drink coconut water, bael sherbet, lemonade, or fresh fruit juices.
Carbonated Drinks – Sweet poison for the body
When throats are dry in the summer, many people reach for cold drinks or soda. While these provide instant relief, the sugar and caffeine they contain can further increase body temperature.
Effects:
- Excess sugar leads to weight gain and increased blood sugar
- Gas and indigestion
- Weakened bones
- Negative effects on skin complexion
Better alternatives:
Cucumber water, mint water, or lemon-mint water.
Energy Drinks – Harm in the name of energy
Commercially available energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, sugar, and synthetic ingredients. These provide short-term energy but subsequently increase fatigue and irritability.
Harms:
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Upset stomach
What to do:
Avoid such drinks and opt for natural energy sources like buttermilk, coconut water, and fruit shakes.
Very cold or iced water – Digestive damage in the pursuit of refreshment
Everyone craves cold water in the summer. However, very cold water or iced drinks drastically lower body temperature, causing stomach muscles to contract and slowing digestion.
Potential effects:
- Sore throat or cold
- Indigestion or gas
- Slowed metabolism
- Fatigue and lethargy
Prevention:
Drink lukewarm or room-temperature water, especially avoid cold water immediately after meals.
Healthy drinks for summer
Having discussed harmful drinks, it's also important to know which beverages can benefit your body during the summer:
- Coconut water: Rich in electrolytes and naturally cooling.
- Lemonade: A good source of Vitamin C and minerals, combats fatigue.
- Buttermilk (Chhach): Beneficial for digestion and naturally cools the body.
- Fruit and vegetable juices: Juices of seasonal fruits like watermelon, cucumber, bael, and oranges provide nourishment.
- Celery or fennel water: Aids digestion and provides relief from heat.
In summer, simply staying cool isn't enough; it's crucial to consider the internal effects of what you drink. Beverages like tea, coffee, alcohol, cold drinks, and energy drinks can dehydrate the body and harm your health during this season.
