As the weather gets warmer and the days become longer and brighter, it’s important to stay revitalised and hydrated. That’s where our strawberry refresher comes in. This fruity drink combines the sweetness of strawberries with the tanginess of lemons to create a delicious and uplifting summer beverage. A splash of soothing rose water adds a floral twist and health-boosting nutrients that enhance your wellbeing with every sip.
Strawberry refresher: rejuvenation in a glass
Our bodies are approximately 50-60% water, and staying hydrated is crucial for our wellness in several ways. It helps to lubricate our joints, regulate our body temperature, transport nutrients to our cells, and remove waste products. Moreover, being well hydrated enables your brain to function more effectively, lifts your mood, and keeps your energy levels up. It can even improve your sleep and the appearance of your skin! There is some disagreement over exactly how much water you should drink a day. The UK’s NHS recommends 6-8 glasses, but you may need more during hot weather or if you exercise a lot. As well as drinking plain water, you can hydrate yourself with beverages like tea, sparkling water, juices, and smoothies. You’re even able to take in water by eating dishes such as soups and stews, plus fruits and vegetables. One fantastic option to help you quench your thirst without getting bored is to create your own flavoured, water-based drinks. And this strawberry refresher lemonade is the perfect example of this. In addition to keeping you hydrated, it’s bursting with fruity goodness to boost your wellbeing. Plus, it’s easy to make and tastes amazing. The ideal beverage to brighten up a summer afternoon! Let’s get into the details.
The superb health benefits of strawberries
We’ll start with the principal ingredient of any strawberry refresher recipe. There are several good reasons why strawberries are one of the most popular types of fruit in the world. In addition to their vibrant colour, pleasant aroma and delicious taste, these berries offer a wealth of nutritional benefits. First, strawberries – and by extension this strawberry refresher – get their vivid red hue from phenolic compounds called anthocyanins. Research suggests that these help to protect the health of the heart by improving cholesterol levels and decreasing inflammation.(1) Anthocyanins may also be useful in regulating blood sugar and have a positive effect on insulin sensitivity.(2) Moreover, strawberries are rich in antioxidants such as ellagic acid and procyanidins. These assist in defending our cells against the damage caused by free radicals. Known as oxidative stress, studies have linked this damage to numerous chronic health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. It can even contribute to ageing, making the berry’s antioxidant powers a key benefit of enjoying a strawberry refresher. Like many fruits, strawberries have high levels of many important vitamins and minerals. In particular, the fruit is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and folate. Vitamin C is vital for skin health and the immune system, and potassium assists with regulating blood pressure. Meanwhile, folate (vitamin B9) helps to make and repair DNA, produce red blood cells, and metabolise protein. Finally, thanks to their anthocyanins and other flavonoids, eating strawberries can boost your brain health and cognitive functions. Research indicates that the berries could work to improve memory and learning, plus slow down cognitive decline.(3) All of which means that a glass of strawberry refresher could be beneficial for both your body and your mind!
How lemons benefit your wellbeing
Strawberries may be the headliner, but every ingredient in our strawberry refresher lemonade recipe earns its place. That includes the lemon juice, which brings a selection of health benefits of its own to the table (or glass!). To begin with, lemons are fabulous sources of vitamin C. As we touched on above, this key nutrient can boost wellbeing in several ways. These include reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, plus enabling the body to absorb iron more efficiently.(4) Evidence further indicates that lemons could help to prevent kidney stones. This is due to their citric acid content, which raises the pH level of urine and reduces the chance of stones forming.(5) Lemons also contain powerful plant compounds such as naringenin and hesperidin, which can lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. Such polyphenols may additionally be useful for weight loss.(6) Some studies suggest that drinking water temporarily increases the number of calories a person burns, further reducing the risk of obesity.(7) This makes consuming lemon in a strawberry refresher especially effective in this regard. Interestingly, even the scent of lemon can have a positive influence on us. Studies have discovered that smelling lemon aroma helps to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.(8) As such, treating yourself to a strawberry refresher before an important work meeting or other appointment could be highly beneficial. Lastly, research indicates that certain compounds in lemons might have anticancer effects. Limonoids and citrus flavonoids
