'Thumbs up' to traditional summer drinks!

Lucknow, May 15 (UNI) Scientists have given 'thumbs up' to Indian traditional summer drinks to 'beat the heat', even as they continue to give stiff competition to cola majors! As 'cola war' hots up keeping pace with the soaring mercury levels in North India, the sale of much cheaper 'summer beverages' catering to common man has also picked up.

Against the normal retail price of cold drinks at Rs 8, these traditional drinks sell upward of Rs 3 per glassful.

Such common beverages include 'bael ka sharbet', 'aam ka panna' and 'sugarcane juice', which are in great demand to beat the heat.

Kiosks and hand-driven carts dealing in such country fare have sprouted in every nook and corner of the Uttar Pradesh capital.

However, public places such as railway station, bus stations and busy markets, which are frequented by people are their happy hunting grounds.

A tall glass of 'bael ka sherbat' sells at Rs 5, which is added with crushed ice to quench the thirst of parched throats.

National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) Deputy Director Dr A K S Rawat told UNI that 'bael' or 'bel' was one of the best options to beat the summer heat, while moving outdoors.

Botanically named Aegle Marmelos, 'bael' is immuno-enhancing and contains properties to keep the stomach well especially in heat wave.

''It has laxatite properties, that prevents constipation and builds up body resistance against common ailments,'' he informed.

'Bael' is also called stone apple. All parts of its tree viz root, leaf, trunk, fruit and seed, are used for curing one human ailment or another.

It's pulp contains 60 per cent water, besides small percentages of acid, sugar, tannins, protein, vitamin C, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron.

'Bael' is very useful in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, particularly in case of patients having diarrhoea, alternating with the spells of constipation, Mr Rawat informed.

Sweet drink (sherbet) prepared from the pulp of fruits produce a soothing effect on the patients who have just recovered from bacillary dysentery.

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