Healthy Cold Drinks | Types of Cold drinks in India | Detox water drink | Energy Drinks for Summer

Chubhti jalti garmi mein — The sweaty Indian summer, should you reach for a cold drink, a fizzy soda, detox water, or an energy drink booster? The choice isn’t just about taste — it’s about your health.

Healthy cold drinks are popular refreshers in India. From natural blends to fruit-based drinks, they not only quench thirst but also provide hydration, nutrients, and a cooling effect.

However, it is always a controversial topic, are market-available available cold drinks actually healthy?

Whereas in Indian Households our mothers try to give us traditional energy drinks that are believed to be healthy for hydration and digestion. In this blog, you will know the difference between which is better healthy drink in summer? Market soda/cold drink or traditional homemade energy drink in India.

When the Indian summer hits hard, what’s your go-to refreshment — a fizzy soda or cold drink, a bottled energy booster, or grandma’s age-old detox recipe? Nowadays, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Thumbs-up soda dinks are the first choice of people, what if I tell you to try some healthy alternative energy drink that will change your lifestyle.

What Are Cold Drinks & Energy Drinks?

Cold drinks or energy drinks are known as non-alcoholic soft beverages or simply known as ‘soft drinks’, it is often carbonated composition consumed to enjoy taste and refreshment energy drinks that will ultimately boost your energy and alertness.

13 Popular Cold Drinks in India: A Quick Comparison

Cold Drink	Carbonation (%)	Added Sugar (per 100ml)	Other Harmful Factors
1.      Thums Up	High (~90%)	10.9g	Caffeine, phosphoric acid
2.      Coca-Cola	High (~90%)	10.6g	Caffeine, phosphoric acid
3.      Pepsi	High (~90%)	10.9g	Caffeine, phosphoric acid
4.      Sprite	High (~90%)	8.9g	Citric acid, artificial flavours
5.      Fanta	High (~90%)	9.8g	Artificial colours & flavors
6.      Limca	High (~90%)	8.9g	Citric acid, sodium
7.      Mirinda	High (~90%)	11.4g	Artificial colours, high sugar
8.      Mountain Dew	High (~90%)	11.0g	High caffeine, high sugar
9.      Appy Fizz	Medium (~70%)	9.0g	Artificial flavouring, carbonation
10.  7UP	High (~90%)	8.9g	Citric acid, sodium
11.  Maaza	Low (~10%)	12.0g	High sugar content, preservatives
12.  Campa Cola	High (~90%)	10.6g	Caffeine, artificial colours
13.  Sparkling Water	Varies (0–100%)	0g (unsweetened type)	May contain sodium, flavoured versions have sweeteners

 

Here are the plenty of soft drinks brands available in India, we have mentioned the most popular cold drinks brands on the above table, and usually soda drinks are considered the worst and extremely unhealthy cold drink that is consumed by people. On the other hand, the diet soda contains less calories as compare to other cold drinks but it also has artificial sweeteners added to it which may lead to High Blood pressure, spike your insulin & disturb your digestion system.

Are Soda Drinks Really Helping Your Health?

Cold and energy drinks have witnessed significant growth in India, especially among Millennials and Gen Z. Paired with fast food, they’re often promoted in viral ASMR and mukbang content — but behind the fizz lies a health risk most people ignore. Having a cold energy drink or soda with Hamburgers, Pizzas or any other processed foods. Nowadays, mukbangs (An online video where someone eats a large amount of food, often live, for the entertainment of viewers) or ASMR videos are creating a buzz on social media as people having big bites of fast foods while gulping up everything with cold drinks or soda drinks. Many people believed that these soda drinks are good for digestion but it is a complete myth. Let’s explore healthier alternatives to these harmful cold drinks.

Old Trend is back: Why Detox Water Is Taking Over Indian Summers

Well, having a good homemade energy drink is the best drink to replenish the electrolytes balance in the body. To help beat the heat of summers, it will also help reduce body heat naturally. However, people often think that not choosing the market made chemical or caffeine and sugar-loaded beverages are good for health. But the goodness of nature has all the needs present in the nature. It is always a wise and healthy choice to have natural energy drink at home.

Face-off: Cold Drink vs Detox Water

Feature	Healthy Cold/Energy Drink	Detox Water
Hydration	Yes, but with additives	Pure and natural
Sugar content	Often high (even in “low sugar”)	Zero sugar
Additives/Preservatives	Present in most packaged drinks	None (homemade)
Refreshment level	Immediate burst	Subtle but lasting
Health benefits	Limited (if any)	Digestive, detoxifying, skin-friendly

Check out: Health Benefits of Detox Water in Summers 

What Should You Choose Right Natural Energy/Cold Drink This Summer?

Your body needs a good source of hydration as well as nutrition to keep your body going restless throughout the day. These days cold drinks are filled with full of carbs, artificial sugar and caffeine components – that are slow poison to our health. Even these cold drinks will, make you the age fast and may reduce the span of life. Opting for the right traditional or homemade energy/cold drinks that will make you young, beautiful and more proactive in day time. It is vital to pay attention on your daily diet, exercise and mindful practice that will make people less depressive and happier in life.

• For gym-goers → energy drinks (carefully).
• For daily hydration → detox water.
• For clean indulgence → natural cold drinks without preservatives.

Top Healthy Summer Drinks by Lifestyle

Purpose	Best Drink Type	Recommended Options	Ingredients	Key Benefits	When to Drink
For Gym Lovers (Pre & Post Workout)	Natural Energy Boosters	– Chia Fresca – Beetroot + Ginger Juice – Spirulina        Lemonade	– Chia seeds, coconut water, lemon – Beetroot, ginger, mint – Lemon, spirulina powder, honey	– Hydrates and balances electrolytes – Boosts stamina and recovery – Natural B-vitamins and iron	– Pre-workout: 30 mins before – Post-workout: Within 30 mins after
For Daily Hydration	Detox Waters	– Lemon & Mint Water – Apple & Cinnamon Water – Cucumber & Basil – Orange Infused Water	– Citrus fruits, herbs, spices – Infused in water overnight	– Flushes out toxins – Keeps you hydrated throughout the day – Supports metabolism and digestion	– Sip through the day, especially in morning and afternoon
For Clean Indulgence (Flavor + Health)	Natural Cold Drinks (Preservative-Free)	– Aam Panna – Sattu Cooler – Jeera Shikanji – Kokum Sharbat– Shardayi (Famous in Punjabi) – Lassi	– Raw mango, jaggery, mint – Sattu flour, lemon, black salt – Roasted cumin, lemon, sugar – Kokum fruit, jeera, salt	– Traditional cooling drinks – Great alternative to sugary sodas – Boosts digestion and energy naturally	– During meals, as a mid-day refresher, or with evening snacks

 

Cold Drink vs Energy Drink Comparison – India

Factor	Cold Drinks	Energy Drinks
Carbonation (%)	High (~90%)	High (~90%), sometimes more fizzy
Added Sugar (per 100ml)	8.9g – 12g (avg.)	10g – 15g (avg.), often with added glucose
Caffeine Content	Mild to Moderate (e.g., Cola types)	High (equivalent to 1–2 cups of coffee per can)
Purpose	Taste, refreshment	Instant energy, stimulation
Main Ingredients	Carbonated water, sugar, flavor, colors	Caffeine, taurine, B-vitamins, sugar, artificial flavors
Health Impact	Dehydration, sugar spike, acidity	Increased heart rate, insomnia, sugar crash, dependency
Popular Brands	Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Fanta, Thums Up, 7UP	Red Bull, Monster, Sting, Tzinga, Cloud 9
Regulatory Warnings	Rare (mostly sugar concern)	Advisories for children, pregnant women, heart patients
Best Use Scenario	Occasional treat, not for energy	Short bursts of energy, workouts (but not daily use)

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Whether you’re sweating it out in the gym, working long hours, or just trying to stay cool — your body deserves more than fizz. Choose wisely. Sip smart. And if you want to go from sipping to serving, NFCI is the perfect place to start.

FAQ

Which cold drinks are best for human body?

Well, the healthiest cold drink is considered Plain Water. Although sattu drink, coconut water, chass or lassi and many more drinks are consumed as energy drink in India that are refreshing and natural drinks are great source of vitamins and antioxidants.

 “Detox water doesn’t just hydrate — it heals from within. Unlike energy drinks, it doesn’t give you a sugar crash.” – Nutritionist XYZ