From coconut water to aam panna: AYUSH Ministry’s heatwave survival guide explained

Amid rising temperatures and severe heatwave conditions across several parts of the country, the Ministry of AYUSH and the Director General of Health Services have issued a public health advisory urging people to adopt better hydration and dietary habits to prevent heat-related illnesses.

The advisory mentions various traditional Indian cooling drinks, seasonal fruits, and small changes in life that can assist the body in enduring the heat for a long period of time.

According to the health officials, heat waves are not only unpleasant weather conditions, but they can cause serious medical emergencies such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, cramps, syncope, and heatstroke.

As per the advisory, it is important to be cautious about certain symptoms like lightheadedness, nausea, headache, palpitations, disorientation, convulsions, and dark urine during extreme hot days.

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AYUSH recommends traditional cooling drinks

The ministry strongly advised people to remain hydrated throughout the day, stressing that thirst alone is not always a reliable indicator of dehydration.

Among the recommended drinks are traditional Indian summer staples such as buttermilk and lassi, which help cool the body while replenishing fluids and salts lost through sweating. The advisory also highlighted coconut water as one of the most effective natural cooling drinks because of its electrolyte and mineral content.

Homemade lemon water with a pinch of salt, commonly known as nimbu pani, was also recommended for maintaining electrolyte balance during heat exposure.

Other drinks included in the advisory are sattu drink, aam panna made from raw mangoes, bael sharbat and the South Indian summer cooler nannari paanagam. AYUSH also suggested gooseberry buttermilk prepared with amla, ginger, curry leaves and rock salt as a nutritious cooling option.

Fruits and vegetables that help during heatwaves

The advisory further encouraged people to increase consumption of seasonal fruits and vegetables with high water content.

Watermelon and muskmelon were among the top recommendations because of their hydration and electrolyte properties.

Cucumber, grapes, tender coconut flesh, ash gourd, tomatoes and lettuce were also listed as foods that help the body stay cool and hydrated during extreme summer conditions.

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The ministry noted that many of these ingredients have traditionally been used in Indian households and Ayurvedic practices to reduce body heat naturally.

Foods and drinks to avoid

In addition to the suggested foods, the government agency also warned against the consumption of alcohol, too much tea or coffee, carbonated beverages, and fatty foods during heat waves, as these can aggravate dehydration, increase body heat or lead to indigestion during hot weather periods.

This latest warning has come amid rising temperatures in several northern and central Indian states where temperatures have reached record highs and even the nights are exceptionally warm, putting at risk those suffering from heat exhaustion, particularly children, the elderly, and workers exposed to high temperatures.

The recommendations were meant to inspire precautionary measures through local and accessible methods of coping with summer heat through diet.