Tag Archives: health

Refreshing Superfoods for Summer: Beat the Indian Summer Heat

Tips, , , , ,

Beat the Indian Summer Heat: Top Refreshing Superfoods to Stay Cool

Summer in India is notorious for its scorching temperatures and relentless heatwaves, creating an environment where finding ways to stay cool and refreshed becomes imperative. With the sun beating down relentlessly, it’s crucial to adopt strategies that help combat the intense heat. One highly effective approach is to integrate a selection of refreshing superfoods for summer into your daily diet.

In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll delve into the world of superfoods, specifically curated to keep you cool, hydrated, and energized throughout the hot Indian summer. By incorporating these nutrient-packed delights into your meals, you not only combat dehydration but also infuse your body with essential vitamins and minerals, bolstering your overall well-being.

Join us as we explore a diverse array of refreshing superfoods perfectly suited to tackle the sweltering Indian heat. From hydrating fruits to invigorating herbs, we’ll guide you through the top picks guaranteed to keep you feeling revitalized and ready to take on the day.

So, whether you’re lounging by the poolside or braving the bustling streets, arm yourself with the knowledge of these refreshing superfoods for summer to stay cool and energized even in the face of the most scorching Indian summers.

Top Refreshing Superfoods for Staying Cool in Summer

1. Watermelon Watermelon is the quintessential summer fruit, loaded with over 90% water content, helping to maintain hydration. It’s also rich in vitamins A and C, beneficial for your skin and immune system. Enjoy it as a snack, in salads, or as a refreshing juice.

2. Cucumber Cucumbers are highly hydrating due to their high water content. They are low in calories but rich in antioxidants and vitamins K and C. Eat them raw in salads, blend them into smoothies, or infuse them in water for a cooling effect.

3. Coconut Water Coconut water is an excellent natural hydration drink, packed with electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and magnesium. It helps replenish fluids in your body and keeps you hydrated. Drink it straight from the coconut or purchase it packaged.

4. Mint Mint is refreshing and aids digestion, with a cooling effect on the body. Add fresh mint leaves to water, tea, or yogurt, or use it to garnish salads and desserts. Mint-infused water is a simple and effective way to stay cool.

5. Yogurt Yogurt is a cooling superfood rich in probiotics, promoting gut health. It can be enjoyed plain, in smoothies, or as a base for chilled dishes like cucumber raita. Frozen yogurt also makes a delicious and healthy treat.

6. Berries Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are delicious and packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. They help reduce inflammation and are perfect for smoothies, salads, or as toppings for yogurt and cereals.

7. Citrus Fruits Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, boosting your immune system. Their high water content helps keep you hydrated. Enjoy them as snacks, in juices, or as zesty additions to salads and drinks. Check out this very interesting post on how to use oranges for skin, hair and health, here.

8. Green Leafy Vegetables Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and lettuce are rich in water and essential nutrients. They are low in calories and high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium. Incorporate them into your diet through salads, smoothies, or light stir-fries.

9. Pomegranate Pomegranate seeds are a powerhouse of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They help reduce inflammation and boost hydration. Eat the seeds directly, add them to salads, or blend them into refreshing juices.

10. Aloe Vera Aloe Vera is known for its hydrating and soothing properties. While often used topically, consuming aloe vera juice can cool your body from the inside. Consume it in moderation and choose pure, unsweetened versions.

11. Gond Katira also known as Tragacanth gum, offers a plethora of benefits ideal for combating the scorching heat of summers. Renowned for its cooling properties, Gond Katira acts as a natural coolant, making it an excellent choice to beat dehydration and heat-related ailments during hot weather. Read how to it here. Its consumption is known to aid in maintaining body temperature, keeping one refreshed and energized amidst the relentless heatwaves. Moreover, Gond Katira is valued for its ability to soothe gastrointestinal issues, providing relief from digestive discomfort commonly exacerbated by high temperatures. Rich in fiber and essential nutrients, incorporating Gond Katira into your summer diet can contribute to overall well-being, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience even in the most sweltering conditions.

Easy Summer Recipes to Stay Hydrated

Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese and Mint Ingredients:

  • 2 cups diced watermelon
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • A handful of fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the watermelon, feta cheese, and mint leaves.
  2. Drizzle with lime juice and toss gently.
  3. Serve chilled.

Coconut Water Smoothie with Pineapple and Spinach Ingredients:

  • 1 cup coconut water
  • 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks
  • 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
  • 1/2 banana (optional for sweetness)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

  1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
  2. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.

Cucumber Raita Ingredients:

  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 1 cucumber, grated
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh coriander leaves, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Mix yogurt and grated cucumber in a bowl.
  2. Add cumin powder and salt, and mix well.
  3. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve chilled.

Mint-infused Lemonade Ingredients:

  • Juice of 4 lemons
  • 4 cups cold water
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup honey or sugar (adjust to taste)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions:

  1. In a pitcher, combine lemon juice, cold water, and honey or sugar. Stir until the sweetener dissolves.
  2. Add mint leaves and let it sit for a few minutes.
  3. Pour over ice cubes and serve.

Additional Tips for Beating the Heat:

  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and consuming hydrating foods.
  • Avoid heavy and spicy meals that can increase body heat.
  • Wear light-colored and breathable clothing to stay cool outdoors.
  • Limit outdoor activities during peak sunlight hours and seek shade when necessary.

Conclusion:

As temperatures soar during the summer months in India, incorporating refreshing superfoods for summer into your diet is key to staying cool, hydrated, and energized. By leveraging the power of SEO-friendly content and targeting relevant keywords, you can ensure that your tips for beating the heat reach a wider audience, helping them embrace a healthier and more enjoyable summer experience. Stay cool, stay refreshed, and make the most of this vibrant season with nourishing superfoods at your fingertips.

Including these superfoods in your daily diet, along with trying out easy summer recipes, will help you effectively combat the heat and stay cool and refreshed during the hot Indian summer. These foods not only help maintain hydration but also provide essential nutrients to keep you energized and healthy, making summer more bearable and enjoyable.

Gond Katira- Benefits of super healthy herb

Tips, , , ,

Gond Katira, famous for its cooling properties should be incorporated into your daily diet, especially during hot summers. With the warning for Heat Waves being issued in most parts of the country, it is essential to keep yourself hydrated and cool in this scorching heat. In this post, read about an ancient herb that will not only cool you down but also has several health benefits. It is one of the best energy and immunity boosters as well. It is a dissolvable gum that can be mixed in drinks to curb the heat off and avoid heatstroke or sunstroke. Bonus: There’s an easy recipe at the end of the post.

Gond Katira- Benefits and uses of super healthy herb

What is Gond Katira?

Also known as Tragacanth Gum, it is an amazing herb with dual properties of cooling the body in the summer and heating it during the winter. It is a wonderful yet lesser-known herb and you might have heard your grandmother mentioning it for its several benefits! It is an age-old herb that’s famous in Ayurveda for curing diseases like cough, constipation, excessive body heat, etc.

Let’s uncover Gond Katira and its benefits, uses, and how it can benefit you in numerous ways.

Nutrition Value:

The nutritional value of 100 g of Gond Katira is as follows:

  • Calories – 70 kcal
  • Carbohydrates – 35g
  • Fiber – 30g
  • Hydrates – 5g
  • Fats – 0g
  • Sodium – 9g

Gond Katira Benefits

Curing dehydration/treating heat-strokes

Gond Katira is very useful for curing dehydration and treating heat strokes. It has cooling properties and hydrates the body. However, if you are consuming it please remember to drink a lot of water.

Maintaining a good digestive system

Keeping a healthy digestive system is very important for overall health. The health of your digestive system is necessary because it directly impacts the overall health of your body. If you have a weak digestion system means poor health and it also slows down your metabolism.

Gond Katira for Weight Loss

It has high-fiber content that benefits your body by keeping you full for a longer time and improving your gut health. It helps in flushing out toxins from your body and enhances metabolism.

Benefits for Skin and Hair

Gond Katira has anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties that work wonderfully well on fine lines and wrinkles. It is also used to treat various skin conditions including acne, eczema, dry skin, and others. It improves hydration and helps in improving the texture of the skin. It is beneficial for acne, pimples, pigmentation, wound healing, spot reduction, etc. It also benefits your hair health by adding more volume and strengthening. It helps in case of hair loss issues due to its rich calcium and protein content. 

Pro tip: Use this gum in face masks or hair packs for best results.

Gond Katira

Gond Katira for Pain Relief

It helps in reducing all types of body pain. It acts on your nervous system and reduces the sensation of pain. It is also helpful in making your bones stronger due to its rich calcium and magnesium content.

Boosting immunity

It is incredible for boosting immunity and strength. It also works as an antiviral agent to strengthen the immune system. It aids in improving blood circulation by increasing the rate of blood flow. It also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help to fight against bacteria and other fungi.

Important-

Gond Katira might cause choking or blockage of the intestines if not taken with adequate water intake. Try to increase your water intake whenever you eat Gond Katira in any form.

Easy Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 Teaspoon Gond Katira
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 Cups thick milk – cold
  • 9 to 12 tablespoons Rooh Afza or Rose Syrup or your favorite syrup
  • Ice cubes – add as required

Instructions:

  1. Add Gond Katira to 2 cups of water. Cover and allow it to soak in water overnight or for 8 to 9 hours.
  2. After it becomes jelly-like, strain the excess water, if any. If it becomes too tight
  3. Then you can add some more water.
  4. In a glass, mix soaked gond and rooh afza or your fav syrup.
  5. Add chilled milk.
  6. Add ice cubes.

Serve it immediately. You can add some chopped dry fruits for garnishing. 

Hope you found this blog post useful, do not forget to read more health tips here, and do let me know if you have any comments, suggestions, questions, etc.