Why do we crave for Nimbu Paani in summers? Relish more about this homemade healthy drink here…
Lemon water, often referred as Nimbu Paani, is a popular and refreshing beverage for the summers in most Indian households. As the name suggests, it is a simple sherbet made by mixing lemon juice in water. This cooling drink is so much in-demand for 4 obvious reasons:
- Lemon water has a typical delicious, sweet and tangy taste.
- The citrusy aroma of fresh lemon.
- Easy recipe. You can prepare it in minutes.
- Usage of ingredients which are always available at home.
Ingredients for Lemon Water:
- A glass of chilled drinking water. If you want, use normal water at room temperature.
- A large fresh and juicy lemon cut into two halves.
- A teaspoon of raw honey or sugar as a sweetener. (I prefer raw honey.)
- A pinch of salt or black salt. (I prefer black salt.)
- 5-10 fresh mint leaves (Optional). It makes your favorite summer drink healthier.
How to Make Lemon Water (Nimbu Paani) at Home: 8 Simple Steps
- Step 1: Take a glass of chilled water.
- Step 2: Squeeze half of the lemon juice into it.
- Step 3: Add a pinch of salt/black salt.
- Step 4: Add a teaspoon of raw honey/sugar.
- Step 5: Crush the mint leaves using a mortar and pestle. Add them into lemon water. If you do not like the mint flavour, you can skip this step.
- Step 6: Stir the mixture well until sugar and salt dissolve in water.
- Step 7: Allow crushed mint leaves to soak in lemon water for 5-10 minutes.
- Step 8: Garnish with a mint sprig at the top. It’s good to go!
Take a small sip of freshly prepared lemon water after returning from outdoors when summer temperature is at its peak. It’s so refreshing!
Health Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water (Nimbu Paani) in Summer Season
Now that the lemon water is ready, it’s time to understand the health effects of each ingredient added in it:
The citrus charm of the drink quenches our thirst and uplifts our mood in a jiffy.
Too much sweating drains out energy. We feel sleepy and fatigued. The glucose content of honey/sugar in the drink acts as a natural energy booster. We feel energised instantly.
Electrolytes (salt) and glucose restore fluid balance in the body and prevent dehydration.
Vitamin C from lemon builds a stronger immune system to fight infection causing pathogens which are active in warm and humid conditions.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that heals up skin damage caused by sunburns under intense heat and light.
Citric acid in lemon stimulates production of gastric acid in stomach for better digestion.
Lemon pulp contains a soluble fibre named pectin which helps to clear up bowel system.
Acidity and heartburns are common in summers. The cooling drink brings relief from these symptoms.
Our body loses sodium, potassium due to constant sweating which results in multiple muscle cramps. Our body regains normal electrolyte levels faster with lemon water.
The primary active ingredient of mint leaves is monoterpene (or menthol) which provides a cooling effect. It helps in detoxification of body system and flush out toxins.
Excessive summer heat leads to frequent stomach upset. Vitamins and minerals present in mint leaves strengthen our digestive health and prevent gastrointestinal disorder.
Loss of appetite is quite common when the scorching heat persists for several days. Mint leaves consumed with lemon water plays a major role in getting back our normal appetite.
There are plenty of readymade sugary drinks available in the market during summertime. However, none of them can rehydrate our body. Here, we have one simple recipe of lemon water (Nimbu Paani) made with natural ingredients that meet our hydration needs in summer.
Savor the flavor and stay hydrated!