Instead of coffee, these (healthier) drinks can help kids power through the exam season | Health News
Coffee is a real lifesaver for students pulling all-nighters to ace their exams. But without a healthy diet, it can be hard giving your best on days you need to bring your A-game. Taking to social media, celebrity nutrition Pooja Makhija has shared some healthier alternatives to coffee.
“According to a study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, natural hydration and antioxidant-rich beverages support sustained energy and improved focus without the crash,” she mentioned in the caption of her Instagram post. According to her, caffeine rush can lead to drastic energy crashes when you need sustained energy levels to see you through this stressful time.
She suggested opting for a fresh lime soda, a concoction of orange and lime juice along with a few mint leaves, or an electrolyte rich glass of coconut water to combat dehydration.
Edwina Raj, Head of Services – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore said that an overload of caffeine acts as a diuretic and flushes out water from your body which leads to dehydration. Caffeine should no doubt be included in moderation. At the same time, soda like beverages are also not recommended.
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What can you replace coffee with? (Source: Freepik)
“Caffeine, if included in moderation, should be combined with an additional source of hydration with a boost of antioxidants in natural beverages such as fruit-infused water, amla and Tulsi shots,” she said.
According to her, fruit smoothies, vegetable soups, tender coconut water, buttermilk along with turmeric and pepper work to prevent dehydration. Even matcha latte contains a short dose of caffeine. Thus, avoiding soda or fizzy drinks with the loaded intake of sugar is equally important while you are preparing for examinations.
She added that nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting your cognitive well-being through antioxidants in fruits, vegetables, and leafy, omega-3 sources present in nuts, and seeds.
