Which Drink Removes Heat from the Body? Top 10 Natural Coolants

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, rising global temperatures make effective cooling strategies more vital than ever. Understanding which drink removes heat from the body is a simple, proactive step to combat heat stress and maintain internal balance naturally.

Quick Summary

A variety of drinks, including coconut water, buttermilk, and fresh fruit juices, can help cool the body. They work by promoting hydration, replenishing lost electrolytes, and utilizing natural cooling properties to regulate temperature effectively.

Key Points

Coconut Water: Excellent for rehydrating and replenishing lost electrolytes due to its natural mineral content, including potassium and sodium.
Buttermilk (Chaas): A probiotic-rich drink that not only cools the body but also aids in digestion and provides a soothing effect on the stomach.
Lemon Water (Nimbu Pani): An easy and effective coolant, rich in Vitamin C, that helps regulate body temperature and flushes toxins.
Watermelon and Cucumber Juices: Both offer exceptional hydration due to their extremely high water content, making them instant refreshers.
Herbal and Traditional Options: Sattu sharbat and aam panna are culturally popular, nutrient-dense drinks that have long been used to combat heat stress and provide internal cooling.
Temperature Matters: Cold drinks are beneficial for immediate internal cooling, especially in high humidity. In contrast, warm teas can promote sweating, which leads to long-term evaporative cooling in drier environments.

The Science of Internal Cooling

Your body regulates its temperature through a process called thermoregulation, primarily by sweating. When you consume a cooling beverage, you assist this process in several ways. The most direct method is simple conduction, where a cool liquid helps lower the core body temperature. More importantly, proper hydration ensures that your body has enough fluid to produce sweat and for your internal systems to function efficiently. Many natural drinks also contain electrolytes, like potassium and sodium, that are lost through sweat and need to be replenished to maintain fluid balance.

Top 10 Natural Drinks to Remove Body Heat

1. Coconut Water

Packed with natural electrolytes, coconut water is an excellent hydrator that helps regulate body temperature by replenishing minerals lost through sweating. It's a low-calorie, naturally sweet option that revitalizes the body from the inside out.

2. Buttermilk (Chaas)

A traditional probiotic drink, buttermilk is a highly effective coolant. It improves digestion, soothes the stomach, and contains essential vitamins and minerals that help restore the body's energy levels. A glass of spiced buttermilk with cumin and mint is particularly refreshing.

3. Lemon Water (Nimbu Pani)

This classic summer drink is more than just refreshing. Rich in Vitamin C, lemon water aids in flushing out toxins and has a cooling effect on the body. Adding a pinch of salt can turn it into a simple yet effective electrolyte solution.

4. Watermelon Juice

Composed of over 90% water, watermelon is a super hydrator. Its juice is rich in antioxidants like lycopene and essential vitamins that help cool the body and provide an energy boost.

5. Cucumber Juice

As the saying goes, "cool as a cucumber." With a water content of around 96%, cucumber juice is an exceptional coolant. It helps detoxify the body and provides vital nutrients like potassium and Vitamin C, which can be further enhanced by blending with mint or lemon.

6. Aloe Vera Juice

Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera helps regulate internal body heat. Consuming a small amount of fresh aloe vera juice, blended with mint or cucumber, can provide a soothing internal cooling effect.

7. Sattu Sharbat

Popular in North India, sattu is a roasted gram flour with natural cooling properties. Mixed with cold water, a pinch of salt, and a squeeze of lemon, it makes a nutrient-rich and hydrating drink that combats heat stress.

8. Aam Panna

Made from raw mangoes, aam panna is a traditional drink known for its ability to prevent heat stroke. It replenishes electrolytes and is packed with Vitamin C, helping to maintain a healthy internal temperature.

9. Barley Water

This drink is an excellent diuretic and has cooling properties that help flush out toxins from the body. A simple preparation of boiling barley pearls in water and chilling the strained liquid provides a refreshing and beneficial beverage.

10. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint contains menthol, a compound that creates a cooling sensation. Enjoying a glass of chilled peppermint tea can help regulate your temperature and provides a soothing, refreshing sensation.

Drink Comparison: Cooling Benefits at a Glance


Drink	Key Benefits	Electrolytes	Digestive Aid	Best For
Coconut Water	High hydration, natural sugars	Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium	Good for gut health	Post-exercise recovery
Buttermilk	Probiotics, vitamin B12	Calcium, Potassium	Excellent	After meals, gut health
Lemon Water	Vitamin C, antioxidant	Sodium (with salt)	Helps flush toxins	General hydration
Watermelon Juice	Very high water content, antioxidants	Potassium	High in fiber	Instant refreshment
Cucumber Juice	High hydration, low calorie	Potassium	Detoxification	Low-calorie cooling
Aloe Vera Juice	Anti-inflammatory properties	None specific	Soothes stomach	Internal calming
Sattu Sharbat	Cooling, high protein, fiber	Rock salt adds sodium	High fiber aids digestion	Sustained energy
Aam Panna	Prevents heatstroke, vitamin C	Good	Promotes digestion	High heat exposure
Barley Water	Diuretic, anti-inflammatory	None specific	Detoxifies, aids digestion	Flushes out toxins
Peppermint Tea	Cooling sensation, soothes	None specific	Aids digestion	Soothing, refreshing

How to Choose the Right Coolant

Your choice of a cooling drink can depend on several factors, including your specific needs and the climate. For intense physical activity, an electrolyte-rich drink like coconut water or a simple lemon-salt water is ideal. In general, daily hydration can be supported by regular intake of plain lemon or cucumber water. For a post-meal digestive aid, buttermilk is a fantastic option. In very high humidity, colder drinks can be more effective for internal cooling, while in dry heat, warm teas can promote efficient evaporative cooling via sweating.

Conclusion

While plain water remains the most fundamental and effective tool for regulating body temperature and preventing dehydration, incorporating specific natural drinks can enhance your body's ability to cope with heat. Beverages like coconut water, buttermilk, and fresh fruit juices provide essential electrolytes and nutrients that help cool you from the inside out. By strategically choosing the right drink for the conditions and your activity level, you can stay refreshed and maintain a healthy internal balance throughout the day. Listen to your body and hydrate wisely.

Frequently Asked Questions

In dry heat, drinking a warm or hot beverage can actually cool you more effectively in the long run by stimulating a strong sweating response, leading to more evaporative cooling. However, in humid environments, where sweat evaporation is less effective, cold drinks are generally more beneficial for internal cooling.

Yes, coconut water is an excellent choice for preventing dehydration. It is packed with natural electrolytes like potassium, sodium, and magnesium, which are crucial for maintaining fluid balance and replenishing minerals lost through sweat.

Buttermilk is a probiotic-rich beverage that has a natural cooling effect on the body and aids digestion. The beneficial bacteria help soothe the digestive system, which can be sensitive to excessive heat.

Sattu sharbat is a traditional Indian drink made from roasted gram flour. It has natural cooling properties and is rich in fiber and protein, providing a sustained release of energy that helps the body cope with heat stress.

Yes, it is best to limit or avoid caffeinated drinks in hot weather. Caffeine can act as a diuretic, which can increase fluid loss and lead to dehydration, making it harder for your body to regulate its temperature effectively.

Watermelon juice helps reduce body heat primarily due to its extremely high water content (over 90%). This provides immediate hydration and replenishment, which is crucial for regulating body temperature.

Yes, consuming a small amount of fresh aloe vera gel mixed with water is a natural way to reduce internal body heat. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the body from the inside. However, it is advisable to use fresh gel rather than processed varieties.

Sugary drinks can lead to a sugar spike and crash, which may feel energizing initially but can exacerbate dehydration. Excessive sugar intake can also contribute to inflammation and is best avoided when trying to stay cool.