Coconut water is never out of trend despite various attractive aromatic and nutritious drinks in the market. It is a miraculous drink beneficial for our body in multiple ways. Coconut water has been consumed for centuries in tropical regions around the world.
In Ayurveda, Coconut water is believed to help in activities of the body such as digestion and urination. It helps to provide an instant boost of energy.
Coconut Water Nutritional Facts
- Coconut water is a clear liquid present inside of green Coconuts. Over 95% of Coconut water is water.
- An average green Coconut provides about 0.5–1 cups of Coconut water.
- Coconut water is rich in various minerals and electrolytes like potassium, calcium, manganese, antioxidants, amino acids, and cytokinins.
- Coconut water is the best source of potassium and contains almost 470 mg of potassium.
- It is low in calories, carbohydrates, and sugar, unlike other juices.
Health Benefits of Coconut WaterÂ
1. Energy Booster:
Coconut water is a great beverage to drink during and after a workout. It is rich in minerals, electrolytes, and antioxidants that help to boost your energy level instantly. It may help athletes to refuel their energy stores and recover a little faster. If you drink this water during exercise, it may prevent fatigue and dehydration. Coconut water is a natural alternative to any sports drink. It contains more potassium and electrolytes, less sodium, and fewer carbohydrates than many sports drinks.
2. Best Alternatives for Sugary Juices:
Coconut water’s health benefits are many! It is mildly sweet and nutty in flavour. It is low in calories, sugar, and carbs, unlike other sugary juices and sodas. It makes it a better choice for diabetics or individuals looking to reduce their consumption of added sugar.
3. Helps to Lose Weight:
Fresh Coconut water benefits in weight loss management programs. It is lower in calories than other beverages, like soda or juices that help to lose weight. One cup of Coconut water contains only 48 calories. As coconut water is also a great replacement for sugary drinks, completely swapping artificial sugary drinks for coconut water may help in managing weight and could boost hydration.
4. May Benefit to Manage Diabetes:
Research shows that Coconut water may help to manage blood sugar levels and improve diabetes symptoms. It is a good source of manganese, which may increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels.
5. May Be Beneficial for Heart Health:
Drinking Coconut water may be beneficial in preventing heart disease. It may help manage cholesterol levels in the blood and maintain good heart health because it is high in potassium. Additionally, coconut water also helps increase good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) levels, which decreases the risk of various heart diseases.
6. May Help to Reduce High Blood Pressure:
Being high in potassium, Coconut water may help to manage blood pressure. Research suggests that potassium-rich diets can help support heart health by managing blood pressure and even protecting against stroke.
7. Help in Good Digestion:
Coconut water is rich in manganese which helps to regulate your bowel movements. It may prevent gaseous distension of the abdomen, constipation, and acidity. Consuming coconut water for acidity can help to alleviate digestive discomfort while enjoying a hydrating drink.
8. May Help to Detox the Body:
Coconut water is versatile due to the presence of minerals, electrolytes and antioxidants. Coconut water helps detoxify your body by providing hydration and antioxidants. Among other health benefits of coconut water, it may also contribute to healthier-looking skin. coconut water contains vitamin C, and antioxidant properties, and may naturally stimulate collagen synthesis.
9. May Help to Prevent Kidney Stones:
When you have a kidney stone, your doctor will advise you to drink a lot of water. Although plain water works wonderfully, don’t miss adding Coconut water to your diet. Coconut water may help to prevent kidney stone formation when taken in moderate amounts. Among other health benefits of coconut water, it may also be able to flush out the chlorine and citrate in the urine of healthy people.
10. May Prevent Urinary Tract Infection:
Coconut water is known to be a diuretic (increases urine output). Hence, it may help to flush out toxins by way of urine. It makes you pee frequently but that’s the way your urinary infection may void out.
11. May Reduce Fatigue and Stress:Â
There are instances such as fatigue, and stress where you feel lethargic and don’t want to eat or do anything. Sipping on a cup of Coconut water may help you feel relaxed and it calms your mind.
Coconut Water Side Effects:
Coconut water is all over beneficial for our health due to the presence of various nutrients. You may still be wondering whether it is good to drink Coconut water every day. For general people, it is considered a good drink to consume. However, there is an exception to it, as some individuals may experience coconut water side effects when consumed excessively, such as gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions.
People who suffer from kidney (renal) failure should not drink Coconut water as it is rich in potassium. In kidney failure, your kidney may not remove extra potassium, which leads to stagnation of potassium in the body. Hence, be cautious with Coconut water consumption in renal failure patients.
If you are pregnant or nursing, it may be advisable to consult your doctor before consuming coconut water as there are not many studies on the cooling effect of coconut water in such cases. Even in cases where one has just had surgery, it is advisable to not have coconut water for two weeks before the surgery as it may affect the blood pressure regulation of the patient’s body.
Among other cases, people who suffer from cystic fibrosis must also remain careful. Cystic fibrosis causes a decrease in the body’s salt levels. Coconut water contains a higher amount of potassium than sodium. This is why drinking it may cause an imbalance in sodium-potassium levels.
