People have love-hate feelings about this warm season in India. To get relieved from this irritating heat we try to consume many types of cold drinks. Shikanji is one of the common and most loved drinks of summer. You may call it a close cousin of nimbu paani.
Also, known as shikanjvi and shikanjbeen, shikanji, the base ingredients of this drinks include lemon or lime juice, ginger juice, ice and water, and other ingredients such as salt and cumin. Apart from its delicious taste, it is also beneficial for our health. Shikanji is sold for 15-20 rupees per glass.
Let's have a look at some of the health benefits of Shikanji.

1. Digestion
This beverage can do wonders for your digestion. It is very important to take ample care of your digestion in summers. Lemon is rich in pectin fibre and ascorbic acid. Both of them are said to facilitate smooth digestion. The shikanji spice mix boasting of tummy-friendly ginger, cumin and pepper, and also have properties that can help better digestion. 

2. Nutrient Boost
Shikanji is a store of nutrients. Lemon is rich in vitamin C, the alkaline nature of the lemons protects the cells from oxidation. Gingerol, the bioactive compound in fresh ginger, can help lower the risk of infections. Its active constituent gingerol has analgesic, sedative, antipyretic and antibacterial effects.

3. Natural Coolant
Shikanji is an excellent coolant. As the temperatures soar, it is very essential to keep the body cool and hydrated. The energizing beverage may also prevent loss of sodium chloride and iron during summer due to excessive sweating.

4. Weight Loss
If you monitor the amount of salt in your shikanji, your chilled glass of shikanji may also help you in your weight loss goals. Lemon is full of pectin fibre, which helps you to feel full for a longer period of time, meaning it can help you in weight loss. Lemon is also a natural cleanser and has detox properties, while ginger is good for digestion. All these properties of shikanji together help in weight loss.