The sun’s out, you have friend’s over and it’s a great time for socialising. A cold beer, a cocktail or a cooling glass of wine is something that many of us look forward and explains why the summer months have the highest consumption levels of alcohol than any other time of the year apart from December. However, hot summer days and alcohol don’t always mix well.
During the summer you perspire more and loose fluid and as alcohol can act as a dehydrator you need to be careful not to get dehydrated.
Moderate drinking or having a drink on occasion is not a cause for concern for most adults. However, if alcohol consumption becomes too frequent, there can be severe consequences.
The recommended alcohol consumption is no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, spread across 3 days or more and although there is no completely safe limit it is thought that these levels will lower the risk of harming your health.
Worldwide there are some alarming statistics on alcohol consumption, these are taken from the World Health organisation (WHO):
- The harmful use of alcohol is a causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions.
- Worldwide, 3 million deaths every year result from harmful use of alcohol. This represents 5.3% of all deaths.
- Overall, 5.1% of the global burden of disease and injury is attributable to alcohol, as measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
- Beyond health consequences, the harmful use of alcohol brings significant social and economic losses to individuals and society at large.
- Alcohol consumption causes death and disability relatively early in life. In people aged 20–39 years, approximately 13.5% of total deaths are attributable to alcohol.
To avoid excessive alcohol consumption, it’s good to mix things up with some non-alcoholic beverages. Why not try some of our superfood juice cocktails, refreshing, tasty and good for you:
Beet the heat
To make two you will need:
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 Britt’s Superfoods beetroot and maqui juice sachets
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 teaspoon rose water
- 1 can tonic water
- Lots of ice cubes
Start by mixing the cocoa powder with half a cup of hot water to mix and allow to cool. When completely cool mix with all other ingredients except tonic water and shake well. Add tonic and pour over lots of ice to enjoy.
Elderflower fizz
To make two you will need:
- 1 Britt’s superfoods ginger, turmeric, and apple juice
- 2 teaspoons elderflower cordial
- Sparkling water
Defrost the ginger and turmeric sachet and add elderflower cordial. Add the mix to the bottom of a champagne glass and top with sparkling water. You have a refreshing and invigorating drink that will keep you hydrated.
Wheatgrass wonder
To make two you will need:
- 2 Britt’s superfoods wheatgrass juice
- 1 cucumber
- 2 celery sticks
- 1 lemon juiced
- A few sprigs of basil
- 1 can bitter lemon
Juice the cucumber, celery and basil and add to defrosted wheatgrass juice, add the juice of one lemon and top with sparkling bitter lemon juice . This drink is energising, refreshing, and packed with nutrients.
When the sun is out, mix in a few of these mocktails and ensure that everyone has a fun time.
To order your mocktail making superfood juices, visit our shop here today.
