Summer heat can lead to dehydration, fatigue, and cravings for sweet beverages. However, consuming sugary drinks with empty calories can contribute to weight gain and fat accumulation.

Lai Thi Hong Van, a nutritionist at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, suggests five beverages that both cool the body and support weight management.

Lemon Water

Lemon water is a popular summer choice for its refreshing qualities and its supply of vitamin C and antioxidants. This low-calorie drink can replace sugary sodas, milk teas, and other high-sugar beverages, helping to reduce calorie intake and support weight control.

Lemon water may also improve digestion and insulin resistance. For added flavor, consider combining it with cucumber, mint, or a small amount of honey. Individuals with stomach conditions should exercise caution when consuming lemon water and avoid drinking it on an empty stomach. For weight management, it is best to opt for warm, diluted lemon water without added sugar.

Lemon water is low in calories and supports weight management. *Bao Bao*

Pennywort Juice

The cooling properties of pennywort juice help to detoxify, act as a diuretic, and cool the liver. This herb is often included in weight management diets due to its low-calorie content and rich fiber, which increases satiety and curbs cravings.

Bioactive compounds in pennywort, such as madecassoside, can also promote brown fat metabolism, break down lipids, and inhibit lipid synthesis in fat cells.

Corn Silk Tea

Corn silk tea has a mild, sweet flavor and cooling properties that help alleviate internal heat, making it suitable for summer consumption. Flavonoid and polyphenol compounds in corn silk can boost metabolism and reduce fat accumulation. Its antioxidants also help reduce inflammation and improve metabolic processes, thereby aiding in fat reduction, especially abdominal fat.

Nutritionist Van advises that adults should not use corn silk tea as a daily replacement for plain water, as it may cause electrolyte imbalance in the body.

Cucumber Juice

This cooling juice helps refresh and rehydrate the body during summer. Cucumber juice is a popular choice for weight loss due to its low-calorie content, with only about 23 calories in half a cucumber.

This drink can replace sodas, high-sugar juices, or sports drinks, thereby reducing calorie and sugar intake and supporting weight management. Staying adequately hydrated can help curb hunger and reduce snacking. Cucumber water can thus be a beneficial option in a weight loss diet.

Perilla Leaf Tea

Perilla helps cool the body, supports detoxification, offers antibacterial properties, and benefits skin health, making it a popular choice for weight management.

Perilla contains luteolin, a natural flavonoid that can activate brown adipose tissue and promote thermogenesis, thereby increasing energy expenditure, supporting excess fat burning, and improving metabolism. Reducing excess fat accumulation also helps mitigate the risk of conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Perilla is also rich in vitamin C. While not directly aiding weight loss, vitamin C participates in fat metabolism by supporting the synthesis of carnitine, a substance that helps transport fatty acids into mitochondria for burning and energy production.

Thuy Duong