When the temperatures rise outside, it is normal to feel more tired. It is a normal event even in perfectly healthy people, caused by an increase in sweating, by stress accumulated during the year, but also by free radicals due to greater exposure to UV rays (Fujii et al, Environ Res, 2015). Luckily, nature comes to our rescue with powerful anti-heat and anti-fatigue remedies. Today, in particular, we will see how to prepare tasty thirst-quenching drinks useful for recharging with energy.
Water against tiredness
Dehydration leads to tiredness, as we mentioned in the introduction to this article. The simplest remedy is therefore to keep hydrated by drinking water, sipping it during the day and without waiting to be thirsty. Of course, perhaps water can get tiring and perhaps someone may not feel inclined to drink water with a neutral taste, so flavored water, a true infusion of spices and fruit, is the solution (An et al, Foods, 2022). In a jug full of water you can add, according to personal taste, citrus fruits cut into wedges, but also mint or basil leaves, sliced cucumber or ginger or even halved berries. Place in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours, then drink during the day.
Cold infusions that recharge energy
Moringa, green tea and white tea are powerful natural remedies that counteract fatigue and increase the body's energy reserves, thanks to their richness in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals (Berilli et al, Curr Res Physiol, 2022 - Liu et al, Food Nutr Res, 2017 - Bian et al, J Sci Food Agric, 2023). However, when the days get hot, you don't always feel like drinking a hot infusion. This is where cold-prepared infusions come in handy! Cold infusions require a longer preparation time but, precisely because of this characteristic, the result is a tea with a less bitter but sweeter and fresher aroma. The cold infusion prepared from the tea leaves contains less caffeine, while the contribution in antioxidants is comparable if not, in some cases as for the whole leaf, and not chopped, white tea, even higher than the hot brewed tea (Damiani et al, Antioxidants, 2019). The fact that this preparation reduces the amount of caffeine is another plus point, especially in summer. In fact, caffeine has diuretic properties which could, in case of intense sweating, lead to dehydration (Zhang et al, J Sci Med Sport, 2015). As for the process for preparing cold brewed tea, pour room temperature water into a cup or carafe, depending on the amount of infusion you want to obtain. Then add the tea, green or white, in the amount of one teaspoon of leaves per cup plus one. Also add a couple of teaspoons of moringa leaves. From the point of view of the quantity of antioxidants extracted, it is better to choose whole loose-leaf tea, but you can also use sachets. Cover with a lid and leave to rest in a cool place for about 8 hours, then filter and drink. Then, if the problem is also stomach ailments, which often accompany warmer climates, you can try the cold infusion of jasmine tea. Studies have in fact shown that this drink is able to restore balance to the altered microbiota level, counteracting inflammation and stimulating the proliferation of good bacteria, which in turn are capable of producing anti-inflammatory substances and protect the liver (Li et al, Nutrients, 2022). The preparation of jasmine tea is the same as just seen for green and white tea.
Rehydrating and anti-fatigue coconut water
Coconut water is a concentrate of electrolytes, antioxidants and carbohydrates. Studies have shown that coconut water is rehydrating and counteracts fatigue with an action comparable to that of drinks on the market designed for sporty people, but certainly with fewer additives and no side effects, since these drinks can cause, sometimes, nausea and stomach upset (Saat et al, J Physiol Anthropol Appl Human Sci, 2002).
