But lower winter temperatures often make us feel less thirsty and this can lead to cold-weather dehydration.
Every time you sweat, pee or have a bowel movement, water is lost. You may not notice how much you're sweating underneath several layers of clothing, and, sweating or not, we constantly lose water through the skin. Also, the drier air from indoor heating can cause us to become dehydrated without even noticing.
In fact, cold conditions can provoke what is known as cold-weather diuresis – that feeling of needing to pee a lot on a wintry day. This is a result of changes in the body’s processes as a reaction to the cold, but of course it can contribute to dehydration.
Water is necessary in our bodies for transporting nutrients, removing waste, supporting the immune system, hydrating tissues and organs, and maintaining blood pressure and the right body temperature. A lack of water not only results in dehydration but can increase your risk of other health problems such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and constipation.
Hydration in a healthy way and with natural products is essential in winter, and is something that must be monitored in children and adults. Winter beverages will often be different to what we drink in summer, however, because we feel like different things. Here are 10 great ideas for natural warming drinks that will keep you and your loved ones hydrated, feeling snuggly and warm and which are safe for people with coeliac disease or a gluten intolerance.
Mulled apple juice is sometimes made as a non-alcoholic alternative to a winter beverage such as mulled wine. Warming apple juice, usually with strips of orange and lemon peel and spices such as cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, makes a great gluten-free hot drink for all the family, young and not so young.
This winter beverage comes as it sounds. Most recipes suggest warming the juice with spices such as cinnamon or ginger. Freshly squeezed OJ is always a vitamin-packed delight and could make this the king of hot juices for many palates.
This hot winter beverage is popular across East Asia and South East Asia. The winter melon is sliced, peeled and the seeds are removed so that the chunks can be added to boiling water and brown sugar. The tea is filtered a few hours later through a sieve or gauze. Delicious!
Winter is a great time to be busy among vapours in the kitchen. Why not make a spiced tea like Indian chai, always taking care to use gluten-free ingredients.
For a real winter treat, whip up a white chocolate latte with matcha, powdered green-leaf tea that is hugely popular in Japan. Heat milk and add the chocolate in a pan while making matcha with boiling water in cups before combining.
Few drinks are as warming as thick and tasty cocoa heated up on the stove. Do take care to check that the cocoa powder is suitable for people on a strict gluten-free diet.
Mocktails – cocktails without the alcohol – have been on the rise in recent years. And there is no reason why the party should stop in winter. There are many winter mocktails to choose from, including alcohol-free mulled wine and eggnogs made without the brandy, whisky or rum.
A classic all-year-round drink in Morocco, mint tea can be drunk piping hot in winter to help keep the chills away while refreshing the palate at the same time.
Freshly-brewed coffee, milk, perhaps some sugar and Nutella, the hazelnut spread which is gluten-free as well as delicious… What could go wrong? Nothing.
Simple but so comforting: whisk cinnamon and sugar to taste into your preferred milk and let it froth its way to warmth.
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