Summer can be a challenging season owing to the heat wave conditions and its impact on health. With the temperature in the Doon valley and nearby regions rising up to 40 degrees Celsius, the people are resorting to various ways to beat the heat and remain healthy.
With the onset of summer, roadside vendors selling juice of the bael fruit have set up stalls across the city.
While some people go for carbonated cold drinks, many are opting for natural and healthful alternatives like bael juice.
Bael or wood apple is a fruit native to Asia also noted for its nutritious value and health benefits. The fruit which is hard, woody and smooth with a sweet pulp inside is rich in proteins, beta- carotene, thiamine and vitamin C among other beneficial contents.
The bael tree is also commonly found in the Terai region of Uttarakhand so the availability of the fruit during the summers is not a problem.
Bael juice vendor Sunil who sets up a stall on Ballupur Road says this time of the year is the best for the sale of this juice as the fruits are in season and the demand is considerably high.
When asked about whether or not he feels people have more inclination towards soft drinks these days, he said that no matter how much the carbonated drinks sell, ultimately when people feel concerned about their health or fall ill, they usually prefer natural juices.Another bael juice vendor near Paltan Bazaar said that he gets special bulk orders from people suffering from diabetes, heart problems, diarrhoea and other health issues.
Senior faculty member of Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Dr Naveen Joshi said that soft drinks have added preservatives in them which disturb the internal environment of the body.
On the other hand, fresh fruit juices like bael juice help avoid dysentery, diarrhoea and other digestive problems that usually arise during the summer. The fruit is anti- diabetic and its pulp is known for curing amoebic dysentery among other ailments.
Although not a very large section of the younger generation in the city prefers this beverage, experts point out that natural options like bael juice are a tasty and healthful option to beating the heat and enjoying health benefits.