The hot climate in India means it’s ever more important to stay well hydrated throughout the day. A lack of proper hydration can give you headaches, make you feel dizzy and more worryingly make your digestive system more vulnerable to tummy troubles.  Read below for some of my best hydrating tips when traveling in India…

If you’re travelling anywhere south of Mumbai, then the best way to keep hydrated is to drink some fresh coconut water (Nariel Pani), served directly out of a fresh coconut. You will see many roadside vendors serving up this delicious drink in most places that you go. The natural electrolytes in coconut water make it almost twice as hydrating than plain water. The vendor will ask if you prefer pani (just water) or malai (with cream) the latter option means you can pass the shell back after drinking and he will cut and serve you the jelly-like fruit within.

If you’re not a fan of coconut water then it’s always good to drink bottled water (aim for at least 2 litres per day). I don’t care how high up you’re staying in the Himalayas, never ever drink tap water no matter where you are in India. Bottled water is widely available throughout the country, but always check the seal carefully before opening to ensure the bottle has not been damaged or tampered with. If you want to be extra pre-cautious, or are planning to travel off the beaten track then I would highly advise getting yourself a water filtration system like this one on amazon. This neat little product basically attaches directly onto any bottle, meaning you can be sure about the quality of the water you’re drinking.

As a general rule avoid ice in your drinks (unless you’re completely sure about the place serving it) as many budget restaurants will not use bottled or filtered water and again avoid complimentary drinks (juices) served in shops unless you see exactly where the drink was poured from. Many street vendors who make fresh juice use ice as a standard, so always drink with caution and if possible make sure you ask for no ice to be added. This next one might seem like a weird claim to make, but actually drinking icy cold drinks in hot weather is not very good for you and can often become the cause of a sore throat, poor digestion and even weaken your immune system. In this way try not to shock your body too much, especially when travelling in India and opt to drink slightly chilled rather than icy cold drinks.

I would never travel in India without carrying some rehydration salts (electrolytes) in my travel bag, as they can easily be added to bottled water to boost hydration and will literally be a lifesaver if you get a serious bout of Delhi Belly. I tend to take these salts with me available on amazon, as they have less sugar and taste a lot better than the brands found in India. They also come in a nice hardshell tube, which is great for travelling. If you don’t have any electrolytes at hand then you can always make a homemade version by mixing half a teaspoon of salt with one teaspoon of sugar into a glass of water.

I was travelling in India with an Austrian doctor one time (who had practiced medicine for many years in India) and to my surprise, she used to swear by the remedial benefits of drinking cola in India! It’s funny the things doctors recommend off-the-record but her point kind of made sense, as often a lack of energy and lack of hydration are the two main causes of feeling poorly in India and a bottle of cola can always provide a quick fix to solve both of these issues. My uncle also recently told me that you can actually clean the limescale in your kettle by boiling some cola (just google it if you don’t believe me)! So, if cola has the ability to de-scale your kettle then I’m sure it also has some ingredients that can help to de-bug your digestive system too 😉 .

Of course the safest thing to drink (which you’ll find on every single street corner of India) is a good old cup of chai (Indian tea). The Indian style of making tea involves rigorous boiling to infuse all the ingredients together, so it’s always a perfectly safe and delicious drink no matter where you are. Many people might think that hot drinks aren’t suitable in the hot climate, but in actual fact hot drinks are known for cooling you down in the heat.  Basically as your bodies’ internal temperature increases, it begins to sweat more, which as the sweat evaporates, results in your skin feeling much cooler.