It’s been an extra crazy year – but summer’s here, so hey…let’s enjoy! The kids just want to have fun in the sun and after lockdown who can blame them? One thing to bear in mind, however, is hydration. It’s vital that the whole family has a regular intake of liquid – and that you avoid drinks that do more harm than good. Healthwise, water is best – but it’s not the most exciting option. The next best beverage is Rooibos Rocks Iced Tea. Why? Read on!

Hydration keeps you healthy

Your body is 60% water. You lose some of this every day so it’s important to replace fluids to keep your body functioning properly and prevent health problems down the road.

For instance, staying well hydrated allows your brain to work faster, sharpens your memory, and improves your mood. Water also transports nutrients and chemicals through your organs, tissues, and other bodily systems - so that’s another reason for keeping your hydration levels up. Good hydration also promotes cardio-vascular health, regulates your body temperature, helps eliminate toxins, improves kidney function and aids digestion.

Stay off the sugar

When the temperature starts to climb, and the thirst comes on, it’s tempting to reach for a drink that’s sweet. But for you, and the kids, this is a really bad idea. It’s generally recommended that young people should consume no more than 6 tablespoons of sugar a day (which is about 100 calories or 25 grams). However, a single 12-ounce can of soda contains about 39 grams. Add that to all the hidden sugars found in every types of processed food, from pasta sauce to breakfast cereals to cookies and ice creams, and your kids will be way over the recommended amount!

Why is this such an issue? Because consuming too much sugar contributes to health issues such as weight gain, heart disease, high blood sugar and cavities. The American Heart Association therefore recommends that children and teens limit sugar-sweetened drinks to just 8 ounces per week - less than a regular 12-ounce can of soda.

Rooibos to the rescue

The easiest way to avoid you and the kids drinking the wrong stuff is to make sure you always have plenty of the right stuff to hand – and Iced Tea, made with Rooibos, ticks all the boxes.

It’s sugar-free, calorie-free and guilt-free. And yet flavour is natural sweet and refreshing – It’s a win-win as kids love the taste and everyone can drink as much as they like without compromising their health.

Rooibos is also caffeine-free. So, unlike many soft drinks, energy drinks and iced coffee or tea it won’t get you and the kids buzzed up. It actually has the opposite effect – it contains magnesium, a substance that calms your system down.

Finally, Rooibos tea is crammed with antioxidants that have been shown to boost your immune system and help your body fight off infection. So drinking it not only has no negative side effects, it actually has some pretty positive health benefits as well!

So, keep a pitcher in the fridge ready for the whole family to enjoy – it’s not only a deliciously refreshing way to keep everyone hydrated but a super healthy one too! Straight Iced Rooibos Tea never fails to hit the spot but there’s a number of different recipes to ring the changes. This spicy Chai Rooibos Cocktail really rocks!