When compared to the Guyanese foods, the beverages still stand their ground. One that cannot be dismissed is ‘Swank’. This refreshing drink is known throughout Guyana and enjoyed by many. Swank is a refreshing mixture of ice, water, sugar and lime or lemon. It is very similar to lemonade; in fact, one can even go as far as to say it is the Guyanese lemonade. Swank is also known as lime drink, lime water, limeade. It is the perfect addition to a plateful of Guyanese Cook-up to which many Guyanese can testify. It is a great choice to wash away the heat of an especially hot afternoon. Swank is one of the most popular Guyanese homemade beverage.
Jar of Lemonade – Photo by Jill Wellington (https://pixabay.com/photos/lemonade-lemons-poolside-drink-3571083/)
What is Swank?
Swank is the Guyanese version of lemonade. It is a simple beverage made with water, lime, sugar and mixed essence for flavour. The special ingredient which gives swank its brown colour, is brown sugar. Swank is usually drunk in hot afternoons or with lunch. Served cold it allows you to fully taste the citrus flavour.The word swank means full of life or energy. After having a glass of swank this is definitely how it can make you feel.
Nutritional Value Of Lime Water (Swank)
- Total Fat: 0.0 g
- Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
- Sodium: 2.5 mg
- Potassium: 5.8 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 0.4 g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.0 g
- Sugars: 0.1 g
- Protein: 0.0 g
- Vitamin A: 0.1 %
- Vitamin B-12: 0.0 %
- Vitamin B-6: 0.1 %
- Vitamin C: 2.5 %
- Vitamin D: 0.0 %
- Vitamin E: 0.0 %
- Calcium: 0.3 %
- Copper: 0.1 %
- Folate: 0.1 %
- Iron: 0.2 %
- Magnesium: 0.7 %
- Manganese: 0.0 %
- Niacin: 0.0 %
- Pantothenic Acid: 0.1 %
- Phosphorus: 0.1 %
- Riboflavin: 0.0 %
- Selenium: 0.0 %
- Thiamin: 0.2 %
- Zinc: 0.0 %
Health Benefits Of Lime Water (Swank)
- Promotes consumption of water – Adding a squeeze of lime to water enhances its flavour which may encourage you to drink more water.
- Improve diets – People who drank more water instead of sugary beverages, like soda or juice, improved their diet. This is because by doing this, they reduced the amount of sugar and fat they consumed on a daily basis.
- Helps in digestion – Adding lime to water can help stimulate digestive secretions in the stomach. In addition, acid contained in lime juice helps the saliva break down food.
- Reduces cancer risk – Consuming citrus fruits may help to reduce chances of getting some types of cancer like oesophagal cancer.
- Improves skin – The natural ingredients in lime juice like antioxidants and Vitamin C in combined with water can help to reduce the look of ageing skin.
- Weight loss – Citric acid found in lime juice helps boost a person’s metabolism, which helps to burn more calories and store less fat.
- Boosts immune system – Vitamin C combined with the antioxidants found in limes provide support to the body’s immune system. Drinking lime water regularly might help prevent and shorten the lifespan of colds and cases of flu.
- Reduces risk of heart disease – Magnesium and potassium contained in lime water, help to support the health of the heart. Potassium improves blood flow and reduces blood pressure.
- Lowers blood sugar levels – According to research, vitamin C can help lower morning and post-meal blood sugar changes.
- Prevents bacteria – Limonins found in limes can help prevent the buildup of Streptococcus bacteria which is responsible for a variety of infections and health conditions, including respiratory and mouth infections.
- Has anti-inflammatory properties – Vitamin C acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in the body.
- Helps prevent kidney stones -Vitamin C and citric acid prevent the formation of some types of kidney stones.
How to make Swank
Ingredients
- 1 large mug of water
- 1 lime
- sugar (brown) to taste
Optional: 1 tsp mixed essence or vanilla essence, ice cubes
Steps
- Fill a mug with water.
- Squeeze the juice out of the lime into a mug. You can put a strainer over it to avoid the seeds falling in.
- Remove seeds and add juice to water.
- Add sugar and stir until it dissolves.
- Add a drop of mixed/vanilla essence and stir.
- Refrigerate until chilled or add ice cubes.
- Serve cold
Swank in Guyana
Swank or lime water is one of our simplest Guyanese beverage. Consuming this refreshing drink has a lot of health benefits which includes improving digestion, helping with weight loss and lowering of blood sugar levels in diabetics. Swank is not only known for its revitalizing qualities but for its sweet, citrusy taste. Quench your thirst with a glass of Guyanese lemonade and you can relax, knowing you are allowing your body to be healthy.
Article References
- http://www.guyanesefood.com/easy-homemade-lemonade-recipe.html
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322556
- https://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calories.asp?recipe=543850
- https://www.stabroeknews.com/2012/06/30/the-scene/tastes-like-home/swank-aka-lime-water/
Last Updated: 2020-07-01
