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Summer heat: what to quench your thirst with?
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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What is better to drink in the summer? Most doctors unanimously assure: water, up to 2-3 liters per day. However, not everyone can drink such a quantity of ordinary water. What can replace water in the summer heat?
Experts suggest a number of drinks that will help prevent dehydration and improve well-being. Among them are berry and fruit drinks, herbal teas, and the famous ayran.
Recommendations are based on a report by Dr. Victoria Savitskaya.
In hot weather, many nutritionists advise paying attention to ayran, or tan - it is both a drink and a food product at the same time. Ayran is a fermented milk product, the birthplace of which is considered to be Transcaucasia and Central Asia. Ayran copes perfectly with both the feeling of thirst and the feeling of hunger: it is a nutritious product, rich in many useful components.
Tan (ayran) activates metabolic mechanisms, improves digestion processes, it is rich in proteins, vitamins, microelements. The drink strengthens the heart and blood vessels, promoting the flow of oxygen to the body's tissues. According to tradition, a lot of fresh herbs are added to tan. This can be dill, basil, cilantro, mint, parsley. Such additives diversify the taste sensations and add benefits to the product.
Herbal teas in summer are prepared on the basis of fresh plants: during the daytime such tea will help to cheer up, and in the evening – to relax. During the summer heat, herbal infusions are perfect, which include angelica, strawberry leaves, clover flowers, lemongrass, raspberry and mint leaves, fireweed, lemon balm, cherry leaf.
If the weather in summer is unstable with large temperature differences, then plants such as barberry, rose hips, currants, sea buckthorn, and nettle can support the body.
Also, don’t forget about the traditional summer green tea – it is drunk both hot and at room temperature – with lemon or honey, preferably without added sugar.
Experts advise to give preference to natural berry or fruit drinks in hot weather - again, without adding sugar. For example, a good effect has been noted from drinking currant or cranberry juice. Before drinking, it is important to pay attention to contraindications: sour juices are not recommended for use in acute inflammatory processes in the digestive tract, as well as with increased acidity.
Many young people are interested in: what is the attitude of doctors towards mass consumption of beer as a summer drink? On this issue, experts clearly agree: beer is absolutely not recommended for getting rid of thirst. This drink has a diuretic effect, after it you want to drink even more. In addition, any portions of alcohol (including beer) in hot weather are most dangerous, as they overload the heart and blood vessels.
And another important question: what temperature should drinks be in the summer? Doctors say that drinks with ice can provoke a reflex spasm of the digestive tract. Therefore, it is preferable to quench your thirst with a liquid at room temperature.